Do Men Matter to Female Competition Even When They Don't?

Erica G. Birk (), Logan M. Lee () and Glen R. Waddell ()
Additional contact information
Erica G. Birk: Analysis Group
Logan M. Lee: Grinnell College
Glen R. Waddell: University of Oregon

No 10184, IZA Discussion Papers from Institute of Labor Economics (IZA)

Abstract: A large literature attempts to identify factors that contribute to gender differences in performance and in the decision to compete. We exploit a highly competitive environment in which elite-female athletes are exposed to the presence of men without the element of direct competition, which allows for the identification of psychological effects of competition. Our results suggest that the presence of men affects the performance of female runners differentially across ability, with negative performance effects being concentrated among lower-ability runners.

Keywords: competition; competitiveness; athlete; gender (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: D01 D03 J16 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 20 pages
Date: 2016-09
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-cse and nep-spo
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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