Collaboration, alphabetical order and gender discrimination: Evidence from the lab

Arbeitspapier

If individual abilities are imperfectly observable, statistical discrimination may affect hiring decisions. In our lab experiment, pairs of subjects solve simple mathematical problems. Subjects then hire others to perform similar tasks. Before choosing whom to hire, they receive information about the past scores of pairs, not of individuals. We vary the observability of individuals' abilities by ordering pair members either according to performance, or alphabetically by nickname. We find no evidence of gender discrimination in either treatment, however, possibly indicating that gender stereotypes are of limited importance in the context of our study.

Object Details

• Language: Englisch

References and Relationships

• Bibliographic citation: Series: Memorandum ; No. 04/2019

Classification and Topics

• Classification: Wirtschaft ; Design of Experiments: Laboratory, Individual ; Labor Discrimination ; Relation of Economics to Social Values ; Search; Learning; Information and Knowledge; Communication; Belief; Unawareness
• Subject: Discrimination ; Collaboration ; Alphabetic ; Gender

Contributors, Places and Time

• Event: Geistige Schöpfung
• (who): Wiborg, Vegard Sjurseike ; Brekke, Kjell Arne ; Nyborg, Karine
• Event: Veröffentlichung
• (who): University of Oslo, Department of Economics
• (where): Oslo
• (when): 2019

Further information

• Handle: http://hdl.handle.net/10419/202633
• Last update: 11.03.2025, 11:45 AM CET