MOVING TO INEQUALITY: NEIGHBORHOOD EFFECTS AND EXPERIMENTS MEET STRUCTURE
1Harvard University.
AJS; American Journal of Sociology
|November 1, 2014
Summary
The Moving to Opportunity experiment reveals how neighborhood effects influence individuals. It highlights how urban structures perpetuate inequality, offering new insights into social reproduction.
Area of Science:
- Urban sociology
- Housing policy research
- Social inequality studies
Background:
- The Moving to Opportunity (MTO) experiment is a significant housing intervention impacting both poverty and neighborhood effects theories.
- Debates persist regarding competing causal claims, notably between Clampet-Lundquist and Massey (2008) and Ludwig et al. (2008).
Purpose of the Study:
- To critically assess the MTO housing experiment and the ongoing debate on neighborhood effects.
- To clarify distinct questions within neighborhood-level theories.
- To re-evaluate the role of selection bias and experimental causality in urban social science.
Main Methods:
- Analytical clarification of neighborhood-level theories.
- Reconceptualization of selection bias as a social process.
- Analysis of MTO and independent Chicago survey data on residential attainment.
Main Results:
- The MTO experiment offers valuable insights into estimating neighborhood effects on individuals.
- Demonstrates the significant implications of a stratified urban structure.
- Reveals how the MTO experiment illuminates the social reproduction of concentrated inequality.
Conclusions:
- Neighborhood effects are complex and influenced by broader urban stratification.
- Selection bias is a critical social process, not merely a statistical issue.
- The MTO experiment provides a unique lens for understanding persistent urban inequality.
Related Concept Videos
01:22Factors Influencing Attraction I: Proximity
419
Proximity plays a fundamental role in shaping interpersonal attraction by increasing opportunities for interaction and fostering familiarity. Research consistently demonstrates that individuals are more likely to form social bonds with those who are physically closer to them, whether in residential settings, workplaces, or educational institutions. This effect is largely driven by the increased frequency of encounters, which facilitates the development of friendships and romantic...
419
04:49Robbers Cave
13.5K
During the 1950s, the landmark Robbers Cave experiment demonstrated that when groups must compete with one another, intergroup conflict, hostility, and even violence may result. At the Oklahoman summer camp, two troops of boys—termed the Rattlers and the Eagles—took part in a week-long tournament. During this time, their negativity culminated in derogatory name-calling, fistfights, and even vandalism and destruction of property. However, this work also revealed that such tension...
13.5K
01:14Stability of structures
655
In mechanical engineering, the stability of systems under various forces is critical for designing durable and efficient structures. One fundamental way to explore these concepts is by analyzing systems like two rods connected at a pivot point, O, with a torsional spring of spring constant k at the pivot point. This system is similar in appearance to a scissor jack used to change tires on a car. In this case, the arms of the linkage (equivalent to the rods in this system) are entirely vertical,...
655
01:13Randomized Experiments
6.3K
The randomization process involves assigning study participants randomly to experimental or control groups based on their probability of being equally assigned. Randomization is meant to eliminate selection bias and balance known and unknown confounding factors so that the control group is similar to the treatment group as much as possible. A computer program and a random number generator can be used to assign participants to groups in a way that minimizes bias.
Simple randomization
Simple...
Simple randomization
Simple...
6.3K
02:30Naturalistic Observations
15.1K
If you want to understand how behavior occurs, one of the best ways to gain information is to simply observe the behavior in its natural context. However, people might change their behavior in unexpected ways if they know they are being observed. How do researchers obtain accurate information when people tend to hide their natural behavior? As an example, imagine that your professor asks everyone in your class to raise their hand if they always wash their hands after using the restroom. Chances...
15.1K
02:12Relationship Formation
28.4K
What do you think is the single most influential factor in determining with whom you become friends and whom you form romantic relationships? You might be surprised to learn that the answer is simple: the people with whom you have the most contact. This most important factor is proximity. You are more likely to be friends with people you have regular contact with. For example, there are decades of research that shows that you are more likely to become friends with people who live in your dorm,...
28.4K