The Dynamics of Discrimination: Theory and Evidence

S-Tier
Journal: American Economic Review
Year: 2019
Volume: 109
Issue: 10
Pages: 3395-3436

Authors (3)

J. Aislinn Bohren (Carnegie Mellon University) Alex Imas (not in RePEc) Michael Rosenberg (not in RePEc)

Score contribution per author:

2.681 = (α=2.01 / 3 authors) × 4.0x S-tier

α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count

Abstract

We model the dynamics of discrimination and show how its evolution can identify the underlying source. We test these theoretical predictions in a field experiment on a large online platform where users post content that is evaluated by other users on the platform. We assign posts to accounts that exogenously vary by gender and evaluation histories. With no prior evaluations, women face significant discrimination. However, following a sequence of positive evaluations, the direction of discrimination reverses: women's posts are favored over men's. Interpreting these results through the lens of our model, this dynamic reversal implies discrimination driven by biased beliefs.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:aea:aecrev:v:109:y:2019:i:10:p:3395-3436
Journal Field
General
Author Count
3
Added to Database
2026-01-24