Menstrual Cycle and Performance Feedback Alter Gender Differences in Competitive Choices
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Date
2010-10-28
Authors
Wozniak, David
Harbaugh, William
Mayr, Ulrich, 1962-
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Oregon, Dept of Economics
Abstract
Economic experiments have shown that in mixed gender groups women are more reluctant than men
to choose tournaments when given the choice between piece rate and winner-take-all tournament
style compensation. These gender difference experiments have all relied on a framework where
subjects were not informed of their abilities relative to potential competitors. We replicate these
findings with math and word tasks, and then show that feedback about relative performance
moves high ability females towards more competitive compensation schemes, moves low ability
men towards less competitive schemes such as piece rate and group pay, and removes the average
gender difference in compensation choices. We also examine between and within-subjects differences
in choices for females across the menstrual cycle. We find women’s relative reluctance to choose
tournaments comes mostly from women in the low hormone phase of their menstrual cycle. Women
in the high hormone phase are substantially more willing to compete than women in the low phase,
though still somewhat less willing to compete than men. There are no significant differences between
the choices of any of these groups after they receive relative performance feedback.
Description
60 p.
Keywords
Menstrual cycle, Competition (Psychology) -- Sex differences