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Discrimination, Narratives, and Family History: An Experiment with Jordanian Host and Syrian Refugee Children

Author

Listed:
  • Kai Barron

    (WZB Berlin)

  • Heike Harmgart

    (European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and WZB Berlin)

  • Steffen Huck

    (University College London and WZB Berlin)

  • Sebastian O. Schneider

    (Max Planck Institute for Research on Collective Goods)

  • Matthias Sutter

    (Max Planck Institute for Research on Collective Goods, University of Cologne, and University of Innsbruck)

Abstract

We measure the prevalence of discrimination between Jordanian host and Syrian refugee children attending school in Jordan. Using a simple sharing experiment, we find only a small degree of out-group discrimination. However, Jordanian children with Palestinian roots do not discriminate at all, suggesting that a family history of refugee status can generate solidarity with new refugees. We also find that parents’ narratives about the refugee crisis are correlated with their children's degree of out-group discrimination, particularly among Syrian refugee children, suggesting that discriminatory preferences are being transmitted through parental attitudes.

Suggested Citation

  • Kai Barron & Heike Harmgart & Steffen Huck & Sebastian O. Schneider & Matthias Sutter, 2023. "Discrimination, Narratives, and Family History: An Experiment with Jordanian Host and Syrian Refugee Children," The Review of Economics and Statistics, MIT Press, vol. 105(4), pages 1008-1016, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:tpr:restat:v:105:y:2023:i:4:p:1008-1016
    DOI: 10.1162/rest_a_01090
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    Cited by:

    1. Angerer, Silvia & Zhuravleva, Tatyana, 2024. "Early childhood discrimination: A comparison of countries," Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Economics (formerly The Journal of Socio-Economics), Elsevier, vol. 113(C).
    2. Peter Andre & Ingar Haaland & Christopher Roth & Mirko Wiederholt & Johannes Wohlfart, 2021. "Narratives about the Macroeconomy," ECONtribute Discussion Papers Series 127, University of Bonn and University of Cologne, Germany.
    3. Diego Aycinena & Francisco B. Galarza Arellano & Javier Torres, 2024. "Interactions in a High Immigration Context," Working Papers 199, Peruvian Economic Association.
    4. Erkut, Hande & Reuben, Ernesto, 2025. "Social networks and organizational helping behavior: Experimental evidence from the helping game," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 246(C).
    5. Sarah Stillman & Sandra V Rozo & Abdulrazzak Tamim & I Bailey Palmer & Emma Smith & Edward Miguel, 2022. "The Syrian refugee life study: first glance," Oxford Review of Economic Policy, Oxford University Press and Oxford Review of Economic Policy Limited, vol. 38(3), pages 625-653.
    6. Fries, Tilman & Barron, Kai, 2023. "Narrative Persuasion," VfS Annual Conference 2023 (Regensburg): Growth and the "sociale Frage" 277691, Verein für Socialpolitik / German Economic Association.
    7. Alice Soldà & Marie Claire Villeval, 2025. "Narratives as a Persuasion Tool in Performance Appraisals," Working Papers hal-04964354, HAL.
    8. Dasgupta, Utteeyo & Mani, Subha & Vecci, Joe & Želinský, Tomáš, 2025. "Games of prejudice - experiments with adolescents," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 238(C).
    9. Assaad, Ragui & Ginn, Thomas & Saleh, Mohamed, 2023. "Refugees and the education of host populations: Evidence from the Syrian inflow to Jordan," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 164(C).
    10. Betts, Alexander & Flinder Stierna, Maria & Omata, Naohiko & Sterck, Olivier, 2023. "Refugees welcome? Inter-group interaction and host community attitude formation," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 161(C).
    11. Livia Hazer & Gustaf Gredebäck, 2023. "The effects of war, displacement, and trauma on child development," Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 10(1), pages 1-19, December.

    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • C91 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Laboratory, Individual Behavior
    • D90 - Microeconomics - - Micro-Based Behavioral Economics - - - General
    • J15 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Minorities, Races, Indigenous Peoples, and Immigrants; Non-labor Discrimination
    • C93 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Field Experiments
    • J13 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth

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