How classroom socioeconomic inequality shapes students’ misbehaviour

This study examines how socioeconomic inequality within a classroom shapes students’ misbehaviour. Employing nationally representative data from the China Education Panel Survey and exploiting random classroom assignment, we find that greater inequality among peers leads to higher levels of aggressive and disobedient behaviour among students. These effects are stronger for boys and disadvantaged students. Further analysis suggests that inequality is associated with a poorer classroom social atmosphere and lower students’ self-aspirations.