KHAS Economics – Contemporary Debates: Prof. Naci Mocan
Prof. Naci Mocan, Ourso Distinguished Chair of Economics, Louisiana State University will be the next guest of Contemporary Debates, organized by Kadir Has University Department of Economics, with his speech “NBA Referees as Judges” on October 24 at 5 pm in Fener Hall.
The event will be in English.
Abstract: In-group Favoritism and Peer Effects in Wrongful Acquittals: NBA Referees as Judges
We provide the first analysis of racial in-group bias in Type-I and Type-II errors. Using player-referee matched data from NBA games we show that there is no overall racial bias or in-group bias in foul calls or in Type-I errors (incorrect foul calls) made by referees. On the other hand, there is significant in-group favoritism in Type-II errors. These are wrongful acquittals where the referee did not blow the whistle although a foul was committed. Although higher error rates during the season lower referees’ probability to be selected to officiate games in the playoffs, month-to-month adjustment in behavior takes place only in more visible and consequential Type-I errors. Each game is officiated by a crew of 3 referees. When we analyze peer effects, we find a pattern consistent with the critical mass hypothesis. Black referees’ proclivity to make Type-II errors in favor of black players exists unless black referees have two white peers with them on the court. In-group favoritism of white referees emerges when they have two black peers. We provide evidence showing that the results are not attributable to skill differences between referees.
About the Speaker: Dr. Naci Mocan is the Ourso Distinguished Chair of Economics at Louisiana State University. He is also a Research Associate of the National Bureau of Economic Research, and a Research Fellow of the IZA. Prior to joining the Economics Department of the Louisiana State University in 2007, Dr. Mocan was a Professor of Economics and Director of the Center for Research on Economic and Social Policy at University of Colorado at Denver. He also served as the Chair of Department of Economics at University of Colorado at Denver.
Dr. Mocan’s research focuses on the production of health, the determinants of criminal activity and issues in law and economics, among other topics. His current research investigates the interplay between culture, institutions, emotions, and economic behavior. He is ranked by RePEc in the top 4% of all Economists who ever published a research article.
This event series is organized by Asst. Prof. Gözde Çörekçioğlu İshakoğlu and Asst. Prof. Ulaş Karakoç.