Breaking bias: pathways to reducing discrimination

Discrimination remains a persistent challenge with significant moral and economic consequences. While extensive economics research has documented its existence, identifying effective strategies for reducing discrimination remains an evolving field. This chapter synthesizes theoretical perspectives from economics and psychology, integrating them with recent empirical findings on discrimination reduction. It reviews interventions that mitigate bias by manipulating the cost of discrimination, shaping information processing, leveraging intergroup contact, changing attitudes, and manipulating identity perceptions. The discussion covers taste-based and statistical discrimination models, implicit bias frameworks, and psychological theories of discrimination. A particular emphasis is placed on well-identified and sufficiently powered studies, including field experiments with incentivized measures. By bridging insights across disciplines, this chapter provides a comprehensive understanding of effective discrimination reduction strategies, highlights remaining gaps, and outlines directions for future research to develop scalable solutions.