Gender and Competition

TLDR

Laboratory studies show that women respond less favorably to competition than men, who are more eager and whose performance improves more with competition, resulting in fewer women entering and winning contests. The authors review existing laboratory and field research on gender differences in competitiveness and the underlying factors, and conclude by proposing ways to encourage qualified males and females to compete. The study reviews existing laboratory and field research on gender differences in competitiveness and the underlying factors. Laboratory and field studies confirm that gender differences in competitiveness stem mainly from differences in overconfidence and attitudes toward competition, while risk aversion differences play a smaller, less robust role.

Abstract

Laboratory studies have documented that women often respond less favorably to competition than men. Conditional on performance, men are often more eager to compete, and the performance of men tends to respond more positively to an increase in competition. This means that few women enter and win competitions. We review studies that examine the robustness of these differences as well the factors that may give rise to them. Both laboratory and field studies largely confirm these initial findings, showing that gender differences in competitiveness tend to result from differences in overconfidence and in attitudes toward competition. Gender differences in risk aversion, however, seem to play a smaller and less robust role. We conclude by asking what could and should be done to encourage qualified males and females to compete.