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Degrees of Deception: How Score Manipulation Mitigates Temperature's Impact on Student Performance

Author

Listed:
  • Ballatore, Rosario Maria

    (Bank of Italy)

  • Palma, Alessandro

    (Gran Sasso Science Institute)

  • Vuri, Daniela

    (University of Rome Tor Vergata)

Abstract

Using Italian data on the universe of mandatory tests conducted in a low-stakes setting without air conditioning, we investigate the effect of temperature on student performance, with a focus on how manipulation distorts causal estimates of temperature effects on test scores. While high temperatures adversely affect students' performance, we find that score manipulation also increases with temperature within a specific range. Leveraging the random assignment of inspectors to schools as a natural experiment, we estimate the effect of temperature on test scores net of manipulation. We find that achievement declines at lower temperature thresholds when manipulation is accounted for, implying a larger number of affected students than previously estimated. Additionally, individual survey responses collected during the tests indicate that very high temperatures induce shifts in students' emotional states, affecting self-esteem and anxiety levels.

Suggested Citation

  • Ballatore, Rosario Maria & Palma, Alessandro & Vuri, Daniela, 2025. "Degrees of Deception: How Score Manipulation Mitigates Temperature's Impact on Student Performance," IZA Discussion Papers 17643, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
  • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp17643
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    student performance; temperature; manipulation; cognitive ability; emotional stress;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J21 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Labor Force and Employment, Size, and Structure
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity
    • Q54 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Climate; Natural Disasters and their Management; Global Warming
    • O15 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Economic Development: Human Resources; Human Development; Income Distribution; Migration

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