The Menstrual Cycle and Performance Feedback Alter Gender Differences in Competitive Choices

David Wozniak, William Harbaugh () and Ulrich Mayr

Journal of Labor Economics, 2014, vol. 32, issue 1, 161 - 198

Abstract: We use a within-subjects experiment with math and word tasks to show that relative performance feedback moves high-ability females toward more competitive forms of compensation, moves low-ability men toward less competitive forms, and eliminates gender differences in choices. We also examine females across the menstrual cycle and find that women in the high-hormone phase are more willing to compete than women in the low-hormone phase. There are no significant differences between choices after subjects receive feedback. Thus, biological differences lead to economically significant differences, but the impact of those differences can be lowered through relative performance information.

Date: 2014
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (150)

Downloads: (external link)
http://dx.doi.org/10.1086/673324 (application/pdf)
http://dx.doi.org/10.1086/673324 (text/html)
Access to the online full text or PDF requires a subscription.

Related works:
Working Paper: The Menstrual Cycle and Performance Feedback Alter Gender Differences in Competitive Choices (2010)
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:ucp:jlabec:doi:10.1086/673324

Access Statistics for this article

More articles in Journal of Labor Economics from University of Chicago Press
Bibliographic data for series maintained by Journals Division ().