Intersectional discrimination

When dimensions of identity interact

Project overview

2025

  1. Intersectional discrimination
    Jonah Foong, Kimuli Kasara, and Macartan Humphreys
    2025

    Discrimination occurs when equivalently qualified people are treated differently because of their identity. A key question is this: does discrimination on one dimension exacerbate discrimination on another? We conducted a lab-in-field experiment with the Busara lab in Nairobi to understand whether double-discrimination occurs when people are incentivized to pick a person to perform a task. We considered three factors potentially shaping discrimination on one or both dimensions as well as their interaction: (1) the presence of electoral quotas; (2) objective information on candidate performance; (3) the opportunity to discuss choices in diverse groups. While we find evidence of discrimination against women and outgroups we find little evidence of double-discrimination in any condition.

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