Bobbing for Widgets: Compensating Wage Differentials

Journal of Economic Education, Vol. 36, No. 2, pp. 129-138, 2005

11 Pages Posted: 21 Jul 2011

See all articles by Catherine C. Eckel

Catherine C. Eckel

Texas A&M University

Melayne Morgan McInnes

University of South Carolina - Darla Moore School of Business

Sara J Solnick

affiliation not provided to SSRN

Jean Ensminger

California Institute of Technology (Caltech)

Roland G. Fryer

Harvard University - Department of Economics; National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER); American Bar Foundation; University of Chicago

Ronald A. Heiner

George Mason University - Department of Economics

Gavin Samms

Harvard University

Katri Sieberg

Tampere University

Rick K. Wilson

Rice University - Department of Political Science

Date Written: March 1, 2005

Abstract

Abstract: The authors describe a classroom game that introduces the concept of compensating wage differentials by allowing students to negotiate over the assignment of jobs and wages. Two jobs are designed so that neither job requires special skills, but one is significantly more unpleasant than the other. By varying the job titles and duties, students can see how wages respond to changes in job characteristics. The impact of various policy measures, such as comparable worth legislation and safety regulation, is also explored. This game can be conducted in a 50-minute class and requires only a deck of cards, poker chips, and a container of ice water.

Keywords: comparable worth, compensating wage differentials, economics, education

JEL Classification: A22, J3

Suggested Citation

Eckel, Catherine C. and McInnes, Melayne Morgan and Solnick, Sara J and Ensminger, Jean and Fryer, Roland G. and Heiner, Ronald A. and Samms, Gavin and Sieberg, Katri and Wilson, Rick K., Bobbing for Widgets: Compensating Wage Differentials (March 1, 2005). Journal of Economic Education, Vol. 36, No. 2, pp. 129-138, 2005, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1890708

Catherine C. Eckel (Contact Author)

Texas A&M University ( email )

5201 University Blvd.
College Station, TX 77843-4228
United States

Melayne Morgan McInnes

University of South Carolina - Darla Moore School of Business ( email )

1705 College St
Francis M. Hipp Building
Columbia, SC 29208
United States

Sara J Solnick

affiliation not provided to SSRN ( email )

Jean Ensminger

California Institute of Technology (Caltech) ( email )

Pasadena, CA 91125
United States

Roland G. Fryer

Harvard University - Department of Economics ( email )

Littauer Center
Cambridge, MA 02138
United States

National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER)

1050 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge, MA 02138
United States

American Bar Foundation

750 N. Lake Shore Drive
Chicago, IL 60611
United States

University of Chicago ( email )

1101 East 58th Street
Chicago, IL 60637
United States

Ronald A. Heiner

George Mason University - Department of Economics ( email )

4400 University Drive
Fairfax, VA 22030
United States

Gavin Samms

Harvard University ( email )

1875 Cambridge Street
Cambridge, MA 02138
United States

Katri Sieberg

Tampere University ( email )

Tampere, FIN-33101
Finland

Rick K. Wilson

Rice University - Department of Political Science ( email )

Houston, TX 77005-1892
United States

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