Events at CERGE-EI

Vojtech Bartos, Ph.D.

University of Milan, Italy

Authors: Vojtech Bartos, Ulrich Glogowsky and Johannes Rincke

Abstract: We demonstrate that racial biases against tutors hinder learning. In e-learning experiments, U.S. conservatives are more likely to disregard advice from Black tutors, resulting in reduced performance compared to learners taught by white tutors. Beliefs and tutor selection are unaffected, suggesting that the bias is unconscious. In line with our theory, the bias is attenuated with high stakes. In contrast, liberals favor Black tutors without experiencing learning disparities. Methodologically, we contribute by using video post-production techniques to manipulate tutor race without introducing typical confounds. Additionally, we develop a novel two-stage design that simultaneously measures tutor selection, learning, and productivity.