Beliefs about Genetics' Importance and Redistribution Decisions

Brown Bag Seminar
Erasmus bridge Rotterdam

Meritocratic fairness justifies inequality when it stems from performance. Yet performance is influenced by one’s genetics. I investigate whether individuals’ redistribution decisions are affected by their beliefs about genetics’ role in generating performance inequality. 

Speaker
Date
Thursday 18 Apr 2024, 12:00 - 13:00
Type
Seminar
Room
Kitchen/Lounge E1
Building
E Building
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In an incentivized online experiment, impartial spectators can redistribute the earnings that two workers earned based on their performance in a mathematical task. Across two treatments, I modify beliefs about the importance of genetics in performing in the task by means of an information provision treatment. I find that spectators for whom genetics is framed to play a larger role compensate the worse performer more, compared to those for whom genetics is framed to play a smaller role. 

When comparing the spectators’ decisions before and after the provision of information, I find that about 23% of spectators compensate the worse performer more whereas the majority does not change their allocation. This study highlights that individuals’ redistribution decisions are affected by their beliefs about genetics’ role in generating performance inequality.

Registration

To participate, please send an email to: ae-secr@ese.eur.nl

See also

Shaping Habits in Organisations: A Field Experiment

Dirk Sliwka (University of Cologne)
Mandeville building

Sentiment Networks and Equity Return Predictability

Ali Moin (Erasmus School of Economics)
Dollar Bill

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