Social interactions in the classroom, educational performance and choices

Project partners: Arnaud Chevalier (Royal Holloway, University of London), Benjamin Elsner (University of Dublin), Ingo Isphording (IZA), Elena Lisauskaite (Royal Holloway, University of London), Jonas Radbruch (IZA), Ulf Zölitz (University of Zurich)

Does the composition of a classroom, learning group or work team play a role in individual performance? This question is the basis of a number of recent studies by IZA researchers in cooperation with external partners. We investigate the influence of peer groups in schools, universities and working environments on school success and long-term labour market outcomes. Key points of the analysis include the role of ethnic diversity of learning groups, the impact of individual rank on subjective perceptions of one's own ability, and the question of spillovers of individual peers.