Kai Zhou (Massachusetts Institute of Technology), “Disclosing Invisible Attributes Is Subject to Discrimination: Conjoint Analysis”

U.S. ET: October 10 (Thursday), 8 – 9 PM

JST: October 11 (Friday), 9 – 10 AM

Zoom Registration: Link

Paper is available here.

Authors: Kai Zhou (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) and Yusaku Horiuchi (Dartmouth College)

Abstract:
Despite the voluminous literature on discrimination, there is no empirical research estimating the causal effects of minorities disclosing their invisible identities on others’ discriminatory attitudes. This study investigates the unique case of Zainichi Koreans in Japan, whose ancestors migrated to Japan before World War II and stayed in Japan afterward with special permanent residency status. They often must choose whether or not to disclose their ethnic identity by using a Korean name called honmyо̄, or to conceal it and “pass” as Japanese by using a Japanese alias called tsūmei. The use of a Japanese name practically renders their status as ethnic Koreans invisible because they speak Japanese and are assimilated into Japanese society and culture. We perform two conjoint experiments with hypothetical job applicants using ethnic Korean or Japanese names to show Japanese people’s strong discriminatory attitudes against Zainichi Koreans. Importantly, these discriminatory attitudes are attenuated among those who have frequent and substantive social contact with Zainichi Koreans. We use this particular case to contribute to the broader literature on social contact and discrimination on the basis of invisible identities. Our findings add to a growing body of scholarship providing evidence for invisible forms of discrimination and support for the ability of intergroup social contact to reduce prejudice toward outgroups. 

Presenter: Kai Zhou (Massachusetts Institute of Technology)

Discussant: Kazuko Suzuki (Texas A&M University)

Chair: Phillip Y. Lipscy (University of Toronto)