Be as careful of the books you read as of the company you keep: evidence on peer effects in educational choices

Arbeitspapier

In this paper we investigate whether peers' behavior influences the choice of college major. Using a unique dataset of students at Bocconi University and exploiting the organization of teaching at this institution, we are able to identify the endogenous effect of peers on such decision through a novel identification strategy which solves the common econometric problems of studies of social interactions. Results show that, indeed, one is more likely to choose a major when many of her peers make the same choice. We estimate that, when it diverts students from majors in which they seem to have a relative ability advantage, this effect leads to lower average grades and graduation mark, a penalty that could cost up to 1,117 USD a year in the labor market

Object Details

• Language: Englisch

References and Relationships

• Bibliographic citation: Series: IZA Discussion Papers ; No. 2833

Classification and Topics

• Classification: Wirtschaft
• Subject: Bildungsverhalten ; Soziale Beziehungen ; Bildungsertrag ; Italien

Contributors, Places and Time

• Event: Geistige Schöpfung
• (who): De Giorgi, Giacomo ; Pellizzari, Michele ; Redaelli, Silvia
• Event: Veröffentlichung
• (who): Institute for the Study of Labor (IZA)
• (where): Bonn
• (when): 2007

Further information

• Handle: http://hdl.handle.net/10419/33925
• URN: urn:nbn:de:101:1-2008032811
• Last update: 10.03.2025, 11:45 AM CET