Interaction, Stereotypes, and Performance: Evidence from South Africa

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Corno, Lucia; Ferrara, Eliana La; Burns, Justine
• 署名单位: Catholic University of the Sacred Heart; Bocconi University; Bocconi University; University of Cape Town
• 刊物名称: AMERICAN ECONOMIC REVIEW
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0002-8282
• DOI: 10.1257/aer.20181805
• 发表日期: 2022
• 页码: 3848-3875
• 关键词: implicit association test; intergroup contact; social identity; DISCRIMINATION; PREJUDICE; diversity; attitudes; IMPACT; MALLEABILITY; metaanalysis

摘要

We exploit a policy designed to randomly allocate roommates in a large South African university to investigate whether interracial interaction affects stereotypes, attitudes and performance. Using implicit association tests, we find that living with a roommate of a different race reduces White students' negative stereotypes towards Black students and increases interracial friendships. Interaction also affects academic outcomes: Black students improve their GPA, pass more exams and have lower dropout rates. This effect is not driven by roommate's ability. (JEL D91, I23, J15, O12)