Gender Differences in Competition: Evidence from an Experiment

• In Event: Experimental Methods and Gender Research

Abstract

What influences an individual’s willingness to engage in competition?

Although previous studies indicate that the willingness to compete depends on the nature of the task, stereotypical beliefs about task proficiency, and the gender of the competitor, studies have not considered all three of these factors simultaneously.

Using an experimental technique, we randomly assign individuals to a task in which men are believed to have an advantage (math task) and a task in which women are believed to have an advantage (verbal reasoning). We also randomly assign participants to a competitor. So participants will either be paired with a man, a woman, or an unidentified competitor. Participants will also have the option to pick the gender of their competitor, which allows us to tap into their stereotypical beliefs about relative proficiency of men and women, and how this varies depending on the task. Finally, we prime an individual’s confidence in both of the math and verbal tasks. Our study is unique in varying all three of these factors and thus allows us to assess their relative effects on an individual’s willingness to engage in competition.

Understanding differences between men and women in their preferences for competition has important implications for alleviating current levels of political underrepresentation, especially political entry and competition. If women are less likely to engage in competition, this not only reduces the number of women who enter the electoral arena, but also the number of women who ultimately win political office. Re-evaluating the barriers that women face in political entry and competition is imperative if we were to create an environment more fair and conducive to women and minorities.

Authors

• Kostanca Dhima, Texas A&M University

• Sarah A. Fulton, Texas A&M University