Weight-based discrimination in financial reward and punishment decision making: causal evidence using a novel experimental paradigm

Jones, Andrew, Pennington, Charlotte, Hardman, charlotte ORCID: 0000-0002-0744-6019, Devlin, Niamh and Robinson, eric ORCID: 0000-0003-3586-5533 (2022) Weight-based discrimination in financial reward and punishment decision making: causal evidence using a novel experimental paradigm. International Journal of Obesity, 46 (7). pp. 1288-1294.

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41366-022-01109-z

Abstract

<h4>Background/objectives</h4>Cross-sectional research has demonstrated weight-related stigma and discrimination, however experimental research providing causal evidence of financial-based weight discrimination is lacking. The aim of these preregistered experiments was to examine whether a novel paradigm in which participants attributed financial rewards and punishments could be used to detect weight bias.<h4>Subjects/methods</h4>One-hundred and twenty-one individuals participated in experiment 1 and one-hundred and sixty-six individuals participated in experiment 2. Both studies were conducted online, and participants were provided with biographies of hypothetical individuals in which weight-status was manipulated (normal weight vs. overweight/obesity) before being asked to provide rewards and punishments on their cognitive performance. In experiment 1 (within-participants design) participants observed one individual they believed to be normal weight and one individual they believed to be overweight/have obesity. In experiment 2 (between-participants design) participants observed one individual whilst also being provided with information about food addiction (Food addiction is real + individual with overweight/obesity vs. food addiction is a myth + individual with overweight/obesity vs control + individual with normal weight).<h4>Results</h4>In experiment 1, participants punished individuals who were described as having overweight/obesity to a greater extent to individuals who were normal weight (Hedge's g = -0.21 [95% CI: -0.02 to -0.41], p = 0.026), but there was no effect on rewards. They were also less likely to recommend individuals with overweight/obesity to pass the tasks (X<sup>2</sup>(1) = 10.05, p = 0.002). In experiment 2, participants rewarded individuals whom they believed were overweight/obese to a lesser extent than normal-weight individuals (g = 0.49 [95% CI: 0.16 to 0.83]. There was no effect on punishment, nor any impact of information regarding food addiction as real vs a myth.<h4>Conclusion</h4>Using a novel discrimination task, these two experiments demonstrate causal evidence of weight-based discrimination in financial decision making.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Humans, Obesity, Cross-Sectional Studies, Punishment, Reward, Decision Making, Overweight, Weight Prejudice
Divisions:	Faculty of Health and Life Sciences Faculty of Health and Life Sciences > Institute of Population Health
Depositing User:	Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited:	21 Mar 2022 08:33
Last Modified:	18 Jan 2023 21:10
DOI:	10.1038/s41366-022-01109-z
Open Access URL:	https://doi.org/10.1038/s41366-022-01109-z
Related URLs:	Author Publisher
URI:	https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3151073