Cited by 6,209Advanced Causal Inference TechniquesExperimental Behavioral Economics StudiesSpatial and Panel Data Analysis

Identification of Endogenous Social Effects: The Reflection Problem

Manski, Charles F.·1993·The Review of Economic Studies

Abstract

This paper examines the reflection problem that arises when a researcher observing the distribution of behaviour in a population tries to infer whether the average behaviour in some group influences the behaviour of the individuals that comprise the group. It is found that inference is not possible unless the researcher has prior information specifying the compisition of reference groups. If this information is available, the prospects for inference depend critically on the population relationship between the variables defining reference groups and those directly affecting outcomes. Inference is difficult to implossible if these variables are functionally dependent or are statistically independent. The prospects are better if the variables defining reference groups and those directly affecting outcomes are moderately related in the population.

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Crossref · 10.2307/2298123

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Authors
Manski, C. F.
Affiliations
University of Wisconsin–Madison (US)
Corresponding author
Manski, Charles F.
Venue
The Review of Economic Studies
Published
1993-07
Volume
60
Issue
3
Pages
531
ISSN
0034-6527 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2114389382
Cited by
6,209
References
28
Citations by year
2026: 234 · 2025: 323 · 2024: 307 · 2023: 324 · 2022: 356 · 2021: 311 · 2020: 295 · 2019: 312 · 2018: 302 · 2017: 320 · 2016: 292 · 2015: 348 · 2014: 345 · 2013: 298 · 2012: 273
FWCI
6.07
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • The Review of Economic Studies (publishedVersion)
  • RePEc: Research Papers in Economics (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Mathematics › Statistics and Probability › Advanced Causal Inference Techniques
  • Social Sciences › Safety Research › Experimental Behavioral Economics Studies
  • Social Sciences › Economics, Econometrics and Finance › Economics and Econometrics › Spatial and Panel Data Analysis
Keywords
reflection problem, reference groups, group composition, social influence, identification, functional dependence, statistical independence

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