Interaction, Stereotypes, and Performance: Evidence from South Africa

Lucia Corno; Eliana La Ferrara; Justine Burns

doi:10.1257/aer.20181805

Abstract

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)

Lingua originale	English
pagine (da-a)	3848-3875
Numero di pagine	28
Rivista	THE AMERICAN ECONOMIC REVIEW
Volume	112
DOI	https://doi.org/10.1257/aer.20181805
Stato di pubblicazione	Pubblicato - 2022

Keywords

Stereotypes, Performance, South Africa

Accesso al documento

10.1257/aer.20181805

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AB - 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)

KW - Stereotypes, Performance, South Africa

UR - http://hdl.handle.net/10807/277098

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DO - 10.1257/aer.20181805

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JF - THE AMERICAN ECONOMIC REVIEW