FoDiRa-Project: The perception of hiring discrimination in Germany

Previous correspondence studies show that different groups with a migration background are discriminated against in the labor market. Moreover, studies on discrimination indicate that reducing prejudice against certain groups, for example through policies, could mitigate this unequal treatment. In this context, awareness of discrimination against other population groups is an essential prerequisite for broad support for anti-discrimination measures. Little research has been conducted on how discrimination against certain population groups is perceived by the majority of society. Therefore, little is known about the extent to which the majority of the population is aware of discrimination against population groups they do not frequently come into contact with. From a policy perspective, it is also important to know whether findings from research on discrimination in the labor market can raise awareness of the issue and lead to greater support for anti-discrimination policies. This study examines the perception of discrimination in the German population using an online survey with an experimental design.

The experiment will be conducted in two waves. In the first wave of the experiment, perceptions of the extent of discrimination against female applicants with a Turkish background in the German labor market will be measured in an online survey. Experimentally estimated callback rates from published correspondence studies serve as objective measures of hiring discrimination in the application process. The callback rate refers to the proportion of applicants who are invited to an interview after applying for a job.

In the first wave, participants receive a description of the profiles of hypothetical female applicants. Subsequently, we invite them to estimate the callback rate for another applicant. Different estimates of callback rates measure variations in the perceived labor market discrimination that participants attribute to different applicants. The respondents are then randomly divided into three groups. Depending on the group, the random subsets of respondents receive different pieces of information.

In the second wave of the study, which is collected about two to four weeks after the first wave, the change in the respondents' views on discrimination in the labor market and their willingness to support various anti-discrimination measures are measured. These data can be used to examine whether and to what extent the respondents’ views have changed in response to information provided in the first wave.

Research questions

  • Does communicating the results of research lead to a change in the perception of discrimination?
  • Does increased awareness of unequal treatment also lead to greater support for affirmative action policies aimed at counteracting unequal treatment?

Scientists involved in the project

Project management

Staff members

Contact

Dr. Sekou Keita
Research Associate at the IAB
Sekou.Keita(at)iab.de