Uncovering covert discrimination: a conjoint experiment

Discrimination persists as a major societal issue, with much attention given to overt biases in areas like labor and housing markets. However, covert discrimination, including implicit biases and microaggressions, remains less explored despite its significant impact on individuals' opportunities and well-being. We conducted a conjoint experiment in Belgium to investigate discriminatory attitudes based on age, gender, physical characteristics, religion, region of origin, and sexual orientation. Participants were asked to choose between two hypothetical passengers on public transit. Results revealed strong biases against Muslims, Jews, Nigerians, Moroccans, overweight individuals, those with visible piercings, and transgender people, while women and individuals of Chinese descent experienced positive discrimination. Our analysis also showed that covert biases varied significantly by gender, age, and political ideology, revealing the complexity of discrimination beyond its overt forms. Our study thus contributes to understanding nuanced dynamics of discrimination and highlights the importance of addressing covert biases alongside overt manifestations.