Peer Effects in Physical Training

КУРСОВАЯ РАБОТА TERM PAPER

Title: Peers Effects in Physical Training

Название: Влияние товарищей на занятие спортом

Студент/ Student: Tsay Vladimir

Научный руководитель/ Supervisor:

Yakovlev Evgeny Denisova Irina

Оценка/ Grade:

Подпись/ Signature:

Москва 2012/2013

Abstract

In many cases peer effects play significant role but they are not trivial to measure. That is why this issue became popular recently. Most works consider negative peer effects such as excessive alcohol consumption and risky behavior and describe measures to reduce consequences of such undesirable behavior. Instead of direct intervention one may think of indirect influence, for example, substitution with sport. In this paper I will determine peer effects in physical training using Russia Longitudinal Monitoring Survey (RLMS). I will define peers in this context and explore how a decision of doing sports for one person influences on the other peers. In case of positive relationship, policy that stimulates sport activity produces social multiplier effect.

1. Introducton Physical training is a significant part in people’s life, government policy, and health care. That is why it is important to know how a person makes a decision whether to do sports or not. Besides direct characteristics such as person’s age, education, gender etc. (Committee on Physical Activity, Health, Transportation, and Land Use) there can be indirect influence from person’s peers. This is called peer effect. It determines how sports occupation of one person influences on his peers. In other words, how often sports involvement of your peer is a determinant for you to go in for sports. Peer effects are widely included in models for alcohol consumption and risky behavior (for example see Card D., and L. Giuliano 2011, Kremer, Mi., and Levy D. 2008, Yakovlev 2012). Key aspect of a successful model with peer effects is the ability to measure pure peer effect. Kremer and Levy used random assignment of...