Are People Born Wicked—or Shaped by Their Roommates?
Uncover how the people closest to us—like roommates—shape our behaviors, achievements, and even our destinies
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For decades, the Broadway phenomenon Wicked has captivated audiences with its imaginative rethinking of The Wizard of Oz. Now, its long-awaited film adaptation has cast its own spell on the record-breaking crowds in theaters. At its core, Wicked tells the story of an unlikely friendship between Glinda, the sparkling socialite, and Elphaba, the misunderstood outsider with a green complexion. Their journey begins as reluctant roommates at Shiz University, where their clashing personalities create moments of both friction and growth.
Beyond the catchy songs and dazzling spectacle, Wicked also offers an unexpected lesson in economics. The evolving relationship between Glinda and Elphaba provides a rich example of peer effects—how one person’s behavior, traits, or achievements can shape those of another. Economists have studied peer effects to understand outcomes ranging from academic performance to health behaviors. As their story unfolds, Glinda and Elphaba show how peer influence works—not just in Oz, but in the choices we encounter in our own lives.
Becoming Roommates at Shiz University
Glinda and Elphaba’s story begins at Shiz University, where they are unexpectedly assigned as roommates—a decision neither of them welcomes. Glinda arrived at Oz with the expectation of having a single dorm, enjoying the perks of her privilege and sparkling reputation. Elphaba, on the other hand, arrives at Shiz simply to drop off her younger sister, Nessarose.
Elphaba’s remarkable magical potential catches the attention of Madame Morrible, the headmistress. Elphaba is invited to enroll on the spot and is assigned to share a room with Glinda. The arrangement sets the stage for a relationship that goes from friction to transformation, revealing the powerful ways peers can shape each other’s lives.
It doesn’t take long for their differences to begin shaping their interactions. Elphaba’s determination to protect Dr. Dillamond, a talking goat professor facing systemic discrimination, challenges Glinda to question her passive acceptance of Oz’s social hierarchies. Over time, Glinda begins to mature—shifting from caring only about her social status to working harder, thinking more critically, and showing genuine concern for others.
Meanwhile, Glinda’s charisma and mastery of social graces cause Elphaba to think about how changing the perception others have of her might help her achieve her goals. Living so closely together forces them to confront these contrasts and creates opportunities for mutual influence. To some, it may have even seemed like the two would become friends. Well, that depends on what you mean by "friend."
Perhaps nowhere is this influence more evident than in the song Popular, where Glinda enthusiastically takes it upon herself to teach Elphaba the art of social success. With lyrics like, “I’ll teach you the proper ploys when you talk to boys” and, “You’ll hang with the right cohorts, you’ll be good at sports,” Glinda outlines her belief in the power of peer effects.
While her lessons are somewhat superficial, they reflect a deeper truth: peers often shape behaviors, from social habits to group affiliations. Even Glinda knows that the right peer environment can help Elphaba flourish in ways she hadn’t considered. As economists studying roommate assignments have found, the person you share a space with can leave a lasting impact on your social, academic, and even professional trajectory.
The Academic Power of Peer Effects
The academic rivalry between Glinda and Elphaba at Shiz University offers a great opportunity to examine how peers can influence academic outcomes. At first, the two roommates couldn’t be more different. Glinda prefers socializing and basking in her popularity, while Elphaba’s intellectual drive and magical talent set her apart from other students. This stark contrast creates tension early on in the story. As their relationship evolves, Glinda begins to care more about academics—a shift subtly influenced by her studious roommate.
While Glinda may never match Elphaba’s scholarly intensity, her growing interest in academics demonstrates a key insight from research on peer effects: living with a high-achieving roommate can positively impact a student’s own academic performance. This effect is especially pronounced for students who initially struggle, suggesting that proximity and daily interaction create a kind of academic "spillover" that motivates change.
Interestingly, these effects are often found to be unique to roommates. Classmates or study groups don’t wield the same level of influence. While Glinda spends considerable time with other friends at the beginning of the story, it’s her shared living space with Elphaba that creates the opportunity for frequent, informal exchanges that shape her behavior as well. Whether at Shiz or in real-world dorms, the lesson is clear: who you live with matters. Even in a wicked world, where troubles often feel permanent, the influence of a good—or challenging—roommate can shape who we become long after we part ways.
Final Thoughts
Despite the compelling narratives of peer effects, studying them empirically is challenging. One major issue is disentangling correlation from causation. If Glinda and Elphaba go on to achieve notable success, is it because their influence was thrust upon each other or because they were born to succeed because of their own traits?
An economist in Oz might wonder: What if Glinda and Elphaba had been assigned different roommates? Would they have grown in the same ways, or did their specific pairing spark unique outcomes? This ability to consider counterfactuals is what makes peer effects so fascinating and so difficult to pin down. They influence how we vote, what we eat, and even how we approach health and fitness. While innate traits play a role, the people we surround ourselves with—the Glindas and Elphabas of our lives—help define who we become and what we achieve.
The Broadway version of Wicked earned 3 Tony Awards in 2004 and a Grammy in 2005 for Best Musical Show Album [IMDB]
Wicked grossed $114 million from 3,888 North American theatres and an additional $50.2 million at the international box offices in its opening weekend [Variety]
A pair of Dorothy's ruby slippers, worn by Judy Garland in The Wizard of Oz, recently sold at an auction for $32.5 million, making the sparkling shoes the most valuable movie memorabilia ever sold at auction [NBC News]
The release of Wicked: The Soundtrack generated nearly $100,000 in streaming revenue on Spotify within its first week [Global Grind]
How lovely would it be to a have a randomozied assignment of freshman students based on grade, so we could try to measure these effects?!