Can Social Information Affect What Job You Choose and Keep?

A-Tier
Journal: American Economic Journal: Applied Economics
Year: 2017
Volume: 9
Issue: 1
Pages: 96-117

Authors (3)

Lucas C. Coffman (not in RePEc) Clayton R. Featherstone (Baylor University) Judd B. Kessler (not in RePEc)

Score contribution per author:

1.341 = (α=2.01 / 3 authors) × 2.0x A-tier

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

Abstract

We show that the provision of social information influences a high-stakes decision and this influence persists over time. In a field experiment involving thousands of admits to Teach For America, those told about the previous year's matriculation rate are more likely to accept a teaching job, complete training, start, and return a second year. To show robustness, we develop a simple theory that identifies subgroups where we expect larger treatment effects and find our effect is larger in those subgroups. That social information can have a powerful, persistent effect on high-stakes behavior broadens its relevance for policy and theory.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:aea:aejapp:v:9:y:2017:i:1:p:96-117
Journal Field
General
Author Count
3
Added to Database
2026-01-25