Description: Reading Group: Elif Incekara-Hafalir (University of Technology Sydney)

Location: 368A Heady Hall

Contact Person: Bertan Turhan

Title: A Family of Norms: Related Beliefs about Female Labor Force Participation

Abstract: The effects of correcting misperceptions of norms on closely related beliefs are not well understood. In survey experiments with male and female Saudi students, we confirm they underestimate the overwhelming support for women working outside the home. However, on related questions about the effects of women working on family life and children, the revealed norms are not as supportive, and this lack of support is not overestimated. Correcting the underestimation had a negative spillover effect on one of these related beliefs and no effect on others. We discuss possible mechanisms behind this spillover effect.