Rearranging the Desk Chairs: A Large Randomized Field Experiment on the Effects of Close Contact on Interethnic Relations

Time: 
22.11.2022 - 13:45 to 15:15
Location : 
A 5,6 Raum A 231 und online via Zoom
Type of Event : 
AB A-Kolloquium
Lecturer: 
Felix Elwert
Lecturer affiliation: 
University of Wisconsin-Madison/WZB
Description: 

Zoom link can be requested at mzes-colloquia-a [at] uni-mannheim.de.

Abstract:

Contact theory and conflict theory make opposite predictions about the effects of interethnic exposure on anti-minority discrimination. According to contact theory, long-lasting and cooperative exposure ameliorates ethnic discrimination. According to conflict theory, shallow exposure worsens discrimination. Both theories come with vague scope conditions, mountains of observational support, and few randomized experiments, making it difficult to predict the effects of interethnic exposures ex ante in everyday settings. We test the causal effect of interethnic exposure on discrimination under quotidian conditions in a large pre-registered randomized field experiment in 39 Hungarian schools. We report effects of interethnic exposures at multiple levels on ethnic discrimination. Guess which theory won?