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The Impact of Exposure to Refugees on Prosocial Behavior

Author

Listed:
  • Hager, Anselm

    (Humbodt-Universität)

  • Valasek, Justin

    (Dept. of Economics, Norwegian School of Economics and Business Administration)

Abstract

Does exposure to refugees affect natives' prosocial behavior? If so, do changes in prosocial behavior also extend to existing migrants? We administer a survey of a representative sample of Lebanese respondents and measure their prosocial behavior toward Syrian refugees, Palestinian migrants, and other Lebanese. Combining our survey data and data on refugee settlements, we find that individual proximity to refugees is positively correlated with trust towards refugees, and that there is a positive spillover toward Palestinian migrants. Taken together, the evidence highlights how inter-group contact can help mitigate the negative effects of mass migration.

Suggested Citation

  • Hager, Anselm & Valasek, Justin, 2022. "The Impact of Exposure to Refugees on Prosocial Behavior," Discussion Paper Series in Economics 4/2022, Norwegian School of Economics, Department of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:hhs:nhheco:2022_004
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Sebastian Calonico & Matias D. Cattaneo & Rocio Titiunik, 2014. "Robust Nonparametric Confidence Intervals for Regression‐Discontinuity Designs," Econometrica, Econometric Society, vol. 82, pages 2295-2326, November.
    2. Andreas Steinmayr, 2021. "Contact versus Exposure: Refugee Presence and Voting for the Far Right," The Review of Economics and Statistics, MIT Press, vol. 103(2), pages 310-327, May.
    3. Kara Ross Camarena & Nils Hägerdal, 2020. "When Do Displaced Persons Return? Postwar Migration among Christians in Mount Lebanon," American Journal of Political Science, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 64(2), pages 223-239, April.
    4. Anselm Hager & Justin Mattias Valasek & Justin Mattias Valasek, 2022. "The Impact of Forced Migration on In-Group and Out-Group Social Capital," CESifo Working Paper Series 9636, CESifo.
    5. Hangartner, Dominik & Dinas, Elias & Marbach, Moritz & Matakos, Konstantinos & Xefteris, Dimitrios, 2019. "Does Exposure to the Refugee Crisis Make Natives More Hostile?," American Political Science Review, Cambridge University Press, vol. 113(2), pages 442-455, May.
    6. World Bank, 2013. "Lebanon : Economic and Social Impact Assessment of the Syrian Conflict," World Bank Publications - Reports 16790, The World Bank Group.
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    JEL classification:

    • J01 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - General - - - Labor Economics: General

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