Doctoral Dissertation Research: Mechanisms Underlying Discrimination in the Labor Market

SES-1602541Stephen BenardTrenton D.尽管一些法律的权利和对同性关系的接受程度有所提高，但男同性恋和女同性恋在劳动力市场上仍然面临不利地位。男同性恋者的收入低于异性恋者，研究表明，男同性恋者和女同性恋者都面临就业歧视。尽管这些初步研究确立了男同性恋者和女同性恋者在劳动力市场上的不平等，但仍然没有什么证据可以解释为什么存在这种劣势。存在多种相互竞争的解释，包括：（a）将性取向与能力和能力假设联系起来的令人不安的刻板印象，（B）男同性恋者和女同性恋者的刻板印象比异性恋者的男性化/女性化程度低，以及（c）社会和劳动力市场偏好在高级职业和领导职位上的传统男性行为。调查员将完成两项实验室研究、两项调查实验和一项具有全国代表性的调查数据测试，以审查雇用歧视和不平等待遇背后的机制。研究1测试在入门级的工作，使用控制实验室实验和调查实验在不同的样本中的雇用歧视。研究2采用控制实验室研究和不同样本的调查实验，探讨了高级领导职位的招聘歧视。研究3使用具有全国代表性的调查数据来研究劳动力市场不平等的现有模式。实验研究提供了歧视的关键因果证据，并能够检验潜在机制，而调查数据则提供了可推广的代表性证据。该项目将提供关键证据，帮助解决现有的不平等问题，并将作为学生研究助理的培训场所，他们将在从事该项目的同时学习实验研究技术和方法。

SES-1602541Stephen BenardTrenton D. MizeIndiana UniversityDespite an increase in some legal rights and acceptance of same-sex relationships, gay men and lesbian women continue to face disadvantages in the labor market. Gay men earn less than comparable heterosexual men, and studies have shown that both gay men and lesbian women face hiring discrimination. Despite these initial studies establishing labor market inequalities for gay men and lesbian women, there remains little evidence to explain why the disadvantages exist. Multiple competing explanations exist, including: (a) disadvantaging stereotypes that link sexual orientation with assumptions of competence and ability, (b) stereotypes of gay men and lesbian women as less masculine/feminine than heterosexual men and women, and (c) a society and labor market that have preferences for traditional masculine behavior in high status occupations and leadership positions. The investigator will complete two laboratory studies, two survey experiments, and a test with nationally representative survey data to examine hiring discrimination and the mechanisms underlying unequal treatment. Study 1 tests for hiring discrimination in entry-level jobs using both a controlled laboratory experiment and a survey experiment in a diverse sample. Study 2 examines hiring discrimination for positions of senior leadership using a controlled laboratory study and a survey experiment in a diverse sample. Study 3 uses nationally representative survey data to examine the existing patterns of labor market inequalities. The experimental studies provide key causal evidence of discrimination and the ability to test for underlying mechanisms, while the survey data provides generalizable and representative evidence. The project will provide key evidence to help address existing inequalities and will also serve as a training site for student research assistants who will learn experimental research techniques and methodology while working on the project.