Competition and Gender Inequality: A Comprehensive Analysis of Effects and Mechanisms

Arthur Schram, Klarita Gërxhani and Jordi Brandts
Authors registered in the RePEc Author Service: Klarita Gërxhani

No 1292, Working Papers from Barcelona School of Economics

Abstract: This study uses data from a series of laboratory experiments to provide a comprehensive analysis of gender differences in performance caused by two different dimensions of competition –rivalry for resources and status ranking. It also examines two mechanisms behind such differences. The results indicate that in the absence of any competitive dimension the performance difference between men and women is not statistically significant at the usual levels. Any competitive dimension, however, leads to women performing statistically significantly worse than men. These results are explained by the two mechanisms: (1) men's beliefs that they are better than women under competition, and (2) women's adherence to a prescribed stereotype of not harming others. This suggests that gender differences under competition are endogenous to situational contexts.

Keywords: gender inequality; experiments; competition; mechanisms; status characteristics theory (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: C91 J16 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021-09
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-exp
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