"A first look into discrimination and multiple dimensions of identity" by Regine Oexl

Topic

Discrimination refers to differential treatment based on characteristics such as gender, race, or age. Since individuals belong to multiple social categories, discrimination may occur along several dimensions, making it crucial to understand whether these interact for effective policy design. This paper develops a theoretical framework distinguishing different types of discriminatory behavior—simple, intersectional, compound, and regressive—and tests it through an online experiment. Results show limited evidence of interaction effects: about 80% of participants discriminate independently along single dimensions, while the rest display more complex patterns. Overall, discrimination appears largely additive, with important implications for anti-discrimination policies.