Testing Theories of Discrimination: Evidence from Weakest Link
利用电视游戏节目《最弱一环》中选手的投票行为，区分基于品味和基于信息的歧视理论，发现对女性和黑人的歧视证据有限，对西班牙裔存在信息型歧视，对年长选手存在品味型歧视。
Contestant voting behavior on the television game show Weakest Link provides an unusual opportunity to distinguish between taste‐based and information‐based theories of discrimination. In early rounds, strategic incentives encourage voting for the weakest competitors. In later rounds, the incentives reverse and the strongest competitors become the logical target. Controlling for other characteristics, both theories of discrimination predict that in early rounds excess votes will be made against groups targeted for discrimination. In later rounds, however, taste‐based models predict continued excess votes, whereas statistical discrimination predicts fewer votes against the target group. Although players are voting strategically, evidence of discrimination is limited. There is little in the data to suggest discrimination against women and blacks. I find some patterns consistent with information‐based discrimination toward Hispanics (other players perceive them as having low ability) and taste‐based discrimination against older players (other players treat them with animus).