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Building Inter-Ethnic Cohesion in Schools: An Intervention on Perspective-Taking

Author

Listed:
  • Sule Alan

    (University of Essex)

  • Ceren Baysan

    (University of Essex)

  • Mert Gumren

    (Koc University)

  • Elif Kubilay

    (University of Essex)

Abstract

We evaluate the impact of an educational program that aims to build inter-ethnic cohesion in schools by developing perspective-taking ability in children. The program takes place in southeastern Turkey, a high-stakes context in which there has been a massive influx of refugees. We measure outcomes that are fundamental to economic interactions and social cohesion, including peer violence, social exclusion, and prosocial behavior. Using randomized variation in program implementation, we find that the program significantly lowers peer violence and victimization on school grounds. It also reduces social exclusion and ethnic segregation in the classroom, measured by inter-ethnic friendship ties. We find that the program is highly effective in enhancing prosocial behavior: Treated students exhibit significantly higher trust, reciprocity, and altruism toward each other. Our results suggest that well-targeted educational strategies can go a long way in building social capital, even in sociopolitically difficult circumstances.

Suggested Citation

  • Sule Alan & Ceren Baysan & Mert Gumren & Elif Kubilay, 2020. "Building Inter-Ethnic Cohesion in Schools: An Intervention on Perspective-Taking," Working Papers 2020-009, Human Capital and Economic Opportunity Working Group.
    • Handle: RePEc:hka:wpaper:2020-009
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. 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.
    2. Zvonimir Bašić & Parampreet C. Bindra & Daniela Glätzle-Rützler & Angelo Romano & Matthias Sutter & Claudia Zoller, 2021. "The Roots of Cooperation," ECONtribute Discussion Papers Series 097, University of Bonn and University of Cologne, Germany.
    3. Sule Alan & Enes Duysak & Elif Kubilay & Ipek Mumcu, 2023. "Social Exclusion and Ethnic Segregation in Schools: The Role of Teachers' Ethnic Prejudice," The Review of Economics and Statistics, MIT Press, vol. 105(5), pages 1039-1054, September.
    4. Dinarte Diaz, Lelys, 2024. "Peer Effects on Violence: Experimental Evidence from El Salvador," IZA Discussion Papers 16830, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    social cohesion; education; refugee integration; social exclusion;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I24 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Education and Inequality
    • I28 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Government Policy
    • C93 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Field Experiments

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