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Awareness Reduces Racial Bias

Author

Listed:
  • Devin G. Pope

    (University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637; National Bureau of Economic Research, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138)

  • Joseph Price

    (National Bureau of Economic Research, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138; Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah 84602)

  • Justin Wolfers

    (National Bureau of Economic Research, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138; University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109)

Abstract

Can raising awareness of racial bias subsequently reduce that bias? We address this question by exploiting the widespread media attention highlighting racial bias among professional basketball referees that occurred in May 2007 following the release of an academic study. Using new data, we confirm that racial bias persisted in the years after the study’s original sample but prior to the media coverage. Subsequent to the media coverage, though, the bias disappeared. Several potential mechanisms may have produced this result, including voluntary behavior changes by individual referees, adjustments by players to new information, and changes in referee behavior due to institutional pressure. These results suggest a new kind of Hawthorne effect in which greater scrutiny of even subtle forms of bias can bring about meaningful change.

Suggested Citation

  • Devin G. Pope & Joseph Price & Justin Wolfers, 2018. "Awareness Reduces Racial Bias," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 64(11), pages 4988-4995, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:inm:ormnsc:v:64:y:2018:i:11:p:4988-4995
    DOI: 10.1287/mnsc.2017.2901
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    behavioral economics; racial discrimination;

    JEL classification:

    • J15 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Minorities, Races, Indigenous Peoples, and Immigrants; Non-labor Discrimination
    • J7 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Labor Discrimination
    • K31 - Law and Economics - - Other Substantive Areas of Law - - - Labor Law
    • L83 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Services - - - Sports; Gambling; Restaurants; Recreation; Tourism

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