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The uneven effects of peers on collaborative and individual tasks

Author

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  • Marisa Hidalgo-Hidalgo

    (Department of Economics, Universidad Pablo de Olavide)

  • Dunia López-Pintado

    (Department of Economics, Universidad Pablo de Olavide)

Abstract

We present new evidence on ability peer effects in education focusing on a context where first-year students from a Spanish university are randomly organized into pairs within their classroom to collaborate on activities throughout the semester. We focus on how the composition of the pair according to abilities determines collaborative (the activities realized in pairs) and individual (the final exam) achievements. We find positive pair peer effects for the collaborative outcomes, but negative pair peer effects for the individual score. That is, the higher the ability of the partner, the lower one's outcome in the final exam. This second finding is stronger the larger the difference in ability and is mainly driven by men when interacting with other more able men.

Suggested Citation

  • Marisa Hidalgo-Hidalgo & Dunia López-Pintado, 2023. "The uneven effects of peers on collaborative and individual tasks," Working Papers 23.07, Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Department of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:pab:wpaper:23.07
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    peer effects; higher education; gender; collaborative tasks.;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D62 - Microeconomics - - Welfare Economics - - - Externalities
    • I21 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Analysis of Education
    • I23 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Higher Education; Research Institutions
    • J16 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Gender; Non-labor Discrimination

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