Social Perceptions of Warmth and Competence Predict Callback Rates in North American Labor Market Experiments

Abstract

We meta-analyzed 32 experimental "correspondence" studies investigating discrimination in the North American labor market. We collected data on 592 different social signals to examine the impact of social perception (warmth, competence) on callback rates. Our analysis found that social perception predicts callback rates for studies varying race and gender, as signaled by names. However, for studies varying other categories, such as sexuality and disability, the direction of social perception's impact on callback rates is less clear. These findings provide important insights into how social perception affects labor market outcomes and highlight areas where further research is needed.

Keywords: Discrimination, Stereotyping, Correspondence Studies, Warmth, Competence, Hiring

JEL Classification: J7, J71, J15, J15, J24