Stereotypes are only a threat when beliefs are reinforced: On the sensitivity of gender differences in performance under competition to information provision

Nagore Iriberri and Pedro Rey-Biel

Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, 2017, vol. 135, issue C, 99-111

Abstract: We show that the existence of gender differences in performance is highly sensitive to the task used to measure performance, to existing stereotypes and to informational conditions. Out of sixteen purposely designed treatments we find that women underperform when competing only when two conditions are met: 1) the task used is perceived as favoring men and 2) the presence of a rival is strongly primed through information provided before competing. Such sensitivity sheds light on the contradictory evidence found on stereotype-threat causing gender differences in performance under competition.

Keywords: Gender differences; Competition; Gender perception; Stereotype-threat; Beliefs (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: C72 C91 D81 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2017
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (41)

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Working Paper: Stereotypes are Only a Threat when Beliefs are Reinforced: On the Sensitivity of Gender Differences in Performance under Competition to Information Provision (2016)
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:jeborg:v:135:y:2017:i:c:p:99-111

DOI: 10.1016/j.jebo.2017.01.012

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