OB Research Seminar - Lisa Faessler, HEC

Results from cultural evolution theory often suggest that social learning can lead cultural groups to differ markedly in the same environment. Put differently, culture can in principle stabilise behavioural differences between groups, which in turn could lead to different selection pressures between groups and thus selection at the group level. Yet, separating the effects of culture from other confounds is typically a daunting, even intractable empirical challenge. Nonetheless, to meet this challenge, we exploit a Swiss language border that acts as a cultural border dividing Switzerland in ways that are independent of institutional boundaries. Using a regression discontinuity design, we estimate discontinuities at the border in preferences related to fertility and mortality, the two basic components of genetic fitness. We select six referenda related to health and fertility and analyse differences in the proportion of yes votes across municipalities on the two sides of the border. Our results show multiple discontinuities at the language border and indicate a potential role of culture in shaping preferences and choices related to individual health and fertility. Our findings suggest that at least one of the two groups has been willing to bear individual fitness costs to uphold their cultural values.