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Beauty and popularity in friendship networks—Evidence from migrant schools in China

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  • Zhai, Shengying
  • Chen, Qihui
  • Zhao, Qiran

Abstract

This study examines whether physical appearance helps children gain popularity in their friendship networks using data from China’s migrant schools. Negative Binomial models, using appearance scores (created by a facial-recognition program incorporating numerous individuals’ appearance preferences) to predict children’s network centrality, yield statistically significant and positive appearance effects. The results hold even after netting out influences of children’s physical, cognitive, and mental development, family background, and school quality.

Suggested Citation

  • Zhai, Shengying & Chen, Qihui & Zhao, Qiran, 2022. "Beauty and popularity in friendship networks—Evidence from migrant schools in China," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 215(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecolet:v:215:y:2022:i:c:s0165176522001070
    DOI: 10.1016/j.econlet.2022.110468
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. A. Chung & D S. Hamermesh & C. Singleton & Z. Wang & J. Zhang, 2024. "Looks and Gaming: Who and Why?," Economics Discussion Papers em-dp2024-04, Department of Economics, University of Reading.
    2. Fang, Hang & Chen, Qianheng & Delgado, Michael S. & He, Qinying, 2023. "Peer correlations in income: Evidence from a Guanxi network in rural China," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 222(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Appearance; Friendship network; Centrality; Migrant children; China;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I2 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education
    • J7 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Labor Discrimination

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