Are All Types of Discrimination Created Equal?

Abstract

In this project, we use an experimental approach to investigate whether all types of discrimination are created equal, disentangling the different mechanisms that generate discrimination. In our study, a large random sample of Jewish Israelis played four games with partners belonging to a disadvantaged social group, identified by gender (women), race (Arabs), religion (ultra-Orthodox Jews), or ethnicity (Mizrahi Jews). A dictator game assessed negative emotions and inclinations for fairness; a trust game explored mistrust; a competence game examined beliefs about competence and intelligence; and a donation game was used to investigate beliefs about entitlement. Arabs, the racial minority group, were the most discriminated against across all the domains measured in the different games. Ultra-Orthodox Jews were discriminated against in the dictator game but were favored in the trust game, suggesting a more nuanced attitude towards this religious group. Women were generally favored, compared to men, across all four games. Our findings suggest that anti-discrimination laws, which in most countries apply a unified approach to eliminating all forms of ethnic, gender, and religion-based discrimination, may not be effective because each of these forms of discrimination is generated by a different behavioral mechanism. Thus, our project makes two important contributions to the empirical study of anti-discrimination law. First, we offer an innovative methodology for disentangling the different mechanisms that generate discrimination, which could help policymakers design more tailored and effective anti-discrimination laws. Second, we document differences in the types of discrimination directed at different social groups in a modern heterogeneous society, a current global challenge.