Doctoral Dissertation Research: Mechanisms Underlying Discrimination in the Labor Market

SES-1602541Stephen BenardTrenton D. Mize印第安纳大学尽管一些合法权利和对同性关系的接受度有所增加，但男同性恋和女同性恋仍然在劳动力市场中面临劣势。男同性恋者的收入低于同等异性恋男性，研究表明男同性恋者和女同性恋者都面临招聘歧视。尽管这些初步研究确定了男女同性恋者劳动力市场的不平等，但仍然没有什么证据可以解释为什么存在这些劣势。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不利刻板印象，（b）男同性恋和女同性恋比异性恋男性和女性更少男性化/女性化的刻板印象，以及（c）社会和劳动力市场偏爱高地位职业和领导职位中的传统男性行为。调查人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的测试，以检查招聘歧视和不平等待遇背后的机制。研究 1 使用受控实验室实验和不同样本的调查实验来测试入门级工作中的招聘歧视。研究 2 使用受控实验室研究和不同样本的调查实验来研究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检验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以及测试潜在机制的能力，而调查数据则提供了普遍性和代表性的证据。该项目将提供关键证据来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，他们将在项目工作期间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.