AEA Papers and Proceedings
ISSN 2574-0768 (Print) | ISSN 2574-0776 (Online)
The Language of Discrimination: Using Experimental versus Observational Data
AEA Papers and Proceedings
vol. 108,
May 2018
(pp. 169–74)
Abstract
We use experimental and observational data to examine whether people respond differently to questions posed by females versus males. We document significant differences in the language of responses, both in terms of the distribution of language utilized, and the sentiment of this language (positive or negative). In the observational data, we also document differences in the language and sentiment of questions posed by gender. This highlights the importance of using experimental data to identify the causal role that gender plays in influencing the language choice of individuals responding to questions from males versus females.Citation
Bohren, Aislinn, Alex Imas, and Michael Rosenberg. 2018. "The Language of Discrimination: Using Experimental versus Observational Data." AEA Papers and Proceedings, 108: 169–74. DOI: 10.1257/pandp.20181099Additional Materials
JEL Classification
- D12 Consumer Economics: Empirical Analysis
- D83 Search; Learning; Information and Knowledge; Communication; Belief; Unawareness
- J16 Economics of Gender; Non-labor Discrimination