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Identity, Communication, and Conflict: An Experiment

Author

Listed:
  • Sumon Bhaumik

    (Management School, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 1FL, UK; IZA – Institute of Labor Economics, Bonn, Germany; Global Labor Organization, Germany)

  • Subhasish M. Chowdhury

    (Department of Economics, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S1 4DT, UK.)

  • Ralitza Dimova

    (Global Development Institute, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK; IZA – Institute of Labor Economics, Bonn, Germany; Global Labor Organization, Germany)

  • Hanna Fromell

    (Department of Economics and Business Economics, Aarhus University, 8210 Aarhus V, Denmark.)

Abstract

We investigate experimentally the effects of information about native/immigrant identity, and the ability to communicate a self-chosen personal characteristic towards the rival on conflict behavior. In a two-player individual contest with British and Immigrant subjects in the UK we find that neither information about identity nor communicating self-characteristics significantly affect the average level of conflict. Both of those, however, significantly affect players’ strategies, in the sense of the extent they involve conflict over time. Overall, the results indicate that inter-personal communication may help to mitigate high intensity conflicts when the identities are common knowledge among rivals.

Suggested Citation

  • Sumon Bhaumik & Subhasish M. Chowdhury & Ralitza Dimova & Hanna Fromell, 2023. "Identity, Communication, and Conflict: An Experiment," Working Papers 2023009, The University of Sheffield, Department of Economics.
  • Handle: RePEc:shf:wpaper:2023009
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Commodity taxation; Experiment; Identity; Immigrant; Communication;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C72 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Game Theory and Bargaining Theory - - - Noncooperative Games
    • C91 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Laboratory, Individual Behavior
    • D72 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Political Processes: Rent-seeking, Lobbying, Elections, Legislatures, and Voting Behavior

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