In this thesis, it is investigated whether students at the Leuphana University express gender- and nationality-based Intergroup bias. Using an online experiment, it is employed a well-known allocation game in experimental economics (Ultimatum Game) on four different groups to examine whether subjects show ingroup favoring (outgroup disfavoring) behavior. It is found that subjects do not differentiate in their choices based on gender. However, it is observed a discriminatory behavior among international participants, as they offer German participants 46 cents less than they offer other international participants. Results from a logistic regression analysis also show that internationals are 26.4 percentage points more likely to discriminate against at least one outgroup. However, identification levels with the ingroup have no significant effects on subjects’ choices. Aside from that, other explanatory variables like age, work, and living situation all reveal insignificant effects on subjects’ decisions in the two phases of the game.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Literature Review
2.1. Ultimatum Game
2.2. Ingroup Favoritism and Outgroup Discrimination
2.3. Explanatory Factors of Intergroup Bias
2.3.1. Social Preferences, Fairness, Altruism, and Other-Regarding Behavior
2.2.2. Gender and Nationality
2.3.3. Social Distance
3. Experimental Design and Procedure
3.1. Experimental Design
3.1.1. Groups
3.1.2. Phase 1: Ultimatum Game as Player B
3.1.3. Phase 2: Ultimatum Game as Player A
3.2. Experimental Procedure
4. Results
4.1. Descriptive Statistics
4.2. Hypothesis Testing
4.2.1. Between-Groups Analysis
4.2.2. Regression Analysis
5. Discussion and Limitations
6. Conclusion
Objectives and Research Themes
This thesis investigates whether students at Leuphana University exhibit gender- and nationality-based intergroup bias through an experimental economics approach using the Ultimatum Game. The research aims to identify if participants demonstrate ingroup favoritism or outgroup discrimination when interacting with peers from different social categories, while accounting for factors such as identification levels, age, and living situation.
- Experimental analysis of gender-based behavioral tendencies.
- Investigation of nationality-based discrimination in student populations.
- Assessment of ingroup favoritism versus outgroup discrimination.
- Evaluation of identification preferences and social distance influences.
- Validation of Ultimatum Game outcomes in an online academic environment.
Excerpt from the Book
2.1. Ultimatum Game
In experimental economics, allocation games are used to study how different factors shape individuals’ behavior and affect their decision-making processes. There are several games that serve this purpose (e.g. prisoner’s dilemma, trust game, ultimatum game, and dictator game). In principle, all of these games use a more-or-less similar approach with few variations and differences in the instructions, settings, or outcomes. For the sake of this thesis, ultimatum game — and a bit less the dictator game — are of a greater relevance. Thus, I will explain only these games in greater details.
In the standard ultimatum game two players interact with each other, either anonymously or not. Player A (Proposer) is endowed with a certain type of goods (x) (typically a specific sum of money) and is asked to choose an amount (y) of that good that she would offer to player B (Responder). Player B is then informed about player A’s decision and can either accept or reject the offer. If player B accepts player A’s offer, then player A receives the endowment minus the offer (x-y) and player B receives the offer (y). However, if player B rejects the offer, then both players walk out with nothing (Kirchler & Hoelzl, 2017). The subgame perfect Nash equilibrium or the theoretical solution of the game states clearly that on the one hand, player A should aim at maximizing her payoff which corresponds with offering the least possible greater-than-zero amount to player B. On the other hand, player B should accept any amount which is greater than zero (Kirchler & Hoelzl, 2017). Nevertheless, observed behavior of subjects that took part in the experiment exhibited significant deviations from the expected theoretical solution.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: Outlines the research focus on intergroup bias among students, defining key concepts like ingroup favoritism and outgroup discrimination within the context of game theory.
2. Literature Review: Provides a comprehensive overview of existing economic studies regarding the Ultimatum Game, social identity theory, and explanatory factors such as fairness, gender, and nationality.
3. Experimental Design and Procedure: Details the methodology, including the 2x2 experimental design, group composition, and the two-phase Ultimatum Game structure conducted online.
4. Results: Presents the statistical findings, including descriptive statistics and hypothesis testing through regression analysis to evaluate bias patterns among different student groups.
5. Discussion and Limitations: Interprets the empirical results, discusses potential experimenter demand effects, and reflects on the limitations inherent in the online experimental setup.
6. Conclusion: Summarizes the study’s findings, noting that while gender bias was not found, nationality-based discrimination was observed among international participants.
Keywords
Intergroup bias, Ultimatum Game, Ingroup Favoritism, Outgroup Discrimination, Social Identity, Experimental Economics, Gender, Nationality, Fairness, Altruism, Social Preferences, Student Behavior, Decision-making, Leuphana University, Allocation Game.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this thesis?
The thesis investigates whether students at Leuphana University display bias based on gender or nationality when participating in economic decision-making tasks.
What are the primary thematic areas explored?
The work focuses on intergroup bias, specifically examining ingroup favoritism and outgroup discrimination through the lens of behavioral economics.
What is the primary research goal?
The goal is to determine if students favor members of their own group (ingroup) or discriminate against those from other groups (outgroup) in an Ultimatum Game scenario.
Which scientific methodology is utilized?
The author employs an online experimental design using a 2x2 structure, specifically the Ultimatum Game, to collect decision data from students.
What is covered in the main body of the work?
The main body covers a literature review on social identity and economic games, detailed experimental procedures, descriptive statistics, and rigorous hypothesis testing via regression analysis.
Which keywords define the scope of the research?
Key terms include intergroup bias, Ultimatum Game, ingroup favoritism, social identity, experimental economics, and student decision-making.
How did nationality influence the results?
The results showed that international participants were more likely to discriminate against German participants in their proposals, while no similar bias was found among German participants.
Was there evidence of gender-based bias?
No, the regression analysis and statistical tests concluded that students at the university did not express significant gender-based intergroup bias.
How did identification levels affect behavior?
The analysis revealed that the self-reported level of identification with an ingroup had no significant impact on a participant's choices or level of discrimination.
- Quote paper
- Kumai Kokash (Author), 2020, Gender- and Nationality-based Intergroup Bias among German and International Students, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/955972
