Signaling Theory

Destroyed by ABC
I hate to bite the hand that feeds me so much information
--Duran Duran

Prof Tim Groseclose discusses signaling theory in the context of controversy surrounding Prof Richard Sander's work on mismatch theory at UCLA. One implication of signaling theory is that the credibility of a message depends in part on the tastes and values of the person conveying the message.

If a conservative criticizes affirmative action, stating that it often puts minorities at a disadvantage in environments such as higher ed, then many observers would discount the message's credibility because it is generally assumed that conservatives oppose affirmative action regardless of the logic and facts at hand.

However, if a progressive (such as Prof Sander) similarly criticizes affirmative action, then that criticism is likely to be seen as more credible because people generally expect progressives to support such programs unilaterally.

Groseclose suggests that this helps explain why the left has attacked Sander so viciously and tried hard to suppress discussion of his research. Progressives realize that arguments against affirmative action, particularly those backed by solid research, that are advanced by one of their own are of great danger to their ideological position.