Disadvantaged through Discrimination, 2005

<P>Abstract copyright UK Data Service and data collection copyright owner.</P><br>Sociologists have consistently demonstrated that a strong link exists between an individual's social class origins and their social class destination. In trying to explain differences in relative class mobility chances, research has traditionally concentrated on individuals' educational attainment, and more recently, on their basic levels of ability and effort. However while 'merit' variables can explain some part of the differences in relative mobility chances, even after controlling for ability, effort and educational attainment, it has been demonstrated that social class origin still has a considerable impact on social class destination.<br>
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As the actions of employers are central to understanding mobility processes, it is important to try to understand their role in creating inequality. Why is it that at the same level of education, an individual from a middle class background is advantaged over an individual from a working class background when applying for middle class occupations? Do employers discriminate against working class individuals?<br>
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The data for this study were collected to allow a test of whether individuals from working class families are disadvantaged when applying for higher level occupations through discrimination by employers. The project used an experimental 'letter stimuli' research design; see documentation for further details.<br>
<br><br><B>Main Topics</B>:<BR><br>The data file includes variables covering prospective employer response and potential discrimination, based on hypothetical social class background characteristics, assessed by nature of application, details of social background, qualifications and educational institution. See documentation for further details.<br>

<P>摘要版权归英国数据服务（UK Data Service）及数据收集版权所有者所有。</P><br>社会学家始终证明，个体的社会阶层出身（social class origins）与其社会阶层归宿（social class destination）之间存在紧密联系。在试图解释相对阶层流动机会（relative class mobility chances）的差异时，传统研究主要关注个体的教育成就（educational attainment），近年来则更多关注其基本能力水平和努力程度。然而，尽管“merit”变量（merit variables）可解释相对流动机会差异的部分原因，但即使在控制了能力、努力程度和教育成就后，研究仍表明社会阶层出身对社会阶层归宿仍具有相当大的影响。<br><br>由于雇主的行为是理解流动过程的核心，因此理解其在制造不平等中的作用至关重要。为何在教育水平相同的情况下，中产阶级背景的个体在申请中产阶级职业时比工人阶级背景的个体更具优势？雇主是否歧视工人阶级个体？<br><br>本研究收集的数据旨在检验工人阶级家庭出身的个体在申请较高层级职业时是否因雇主歧视而处于不利地位。该项目采用了实验性的“信件刺激”（letter stimuli）研究设计；详情请参见文档。