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Stereotypes and tournament self-selection: A theoretical and experimental approach

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  • Hernandez-Arenaz, Iñigo

Abstract

We present a theoretical model in which agents have imperfect self-knowledge about their abilities and have to self-select into either a high-paying or a low-paying tournament. The model shows that negative (positive) stereotypes generate underrepresentation (overrepresentation) of stereotyped agents in the high-paying tournament even when the stereotype is false. This is because stereotypes affect self-assessment and consequently subsequent behavior. We call this mechanism self-stereotyping. We run a lab experiment in which we use subjects’ beliefs about the gender bias of a real-effort task to test the predictions of the theoretical model. The results of the experiment are in line with the predictions of the model for men but not for women, which partially validates the model and the self-stereotyping mechanism.

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  • Hernandez-Arenaz, Iñigo, 2020. "Stereotypes and tournament self-selection: A theoretical and experimental approach," European Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 126(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:eecrev:v:126:y:2020:i:c:s0014292120300805
    DOI: 10.1016/j.euroecorev.2020.103448
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    Cited by:

    1. Baier, Alexandra & Davis, Brent & Jaber-Lopez, Tarek, 2024. "Gender, choice of task, and the effect of feedback on competition: An experiment," Journal of Economic Psychology, Elsevier, vol. 103(C).
    2. Diogo Geraldes & Arno Riedl & Martin Strobel, 2020. "Gender Differences in Performance under Competition: Is There a Stereotype Threat Shadow?," CESifo Working Paper Series 8809, CESifo.
    3. Charness, Gary & Dao, Lien & Shurchkov, Olga, 2022. "Competing now and then: The effects of delay on competitiveness across gender," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 198(C), pages 612-630.
    4. Cubel, María & Sanchez-Pages, Santiago, 2022. "Gender differences in equilibrium play and strategic sophistication variability," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 194(C), pages 287-299.
    5. Coffman, Katherine & Flikkema, Clio Bryant & Shurchkov, Olga, 2021. "Gender stereotypes in deliberation and team decisions," Games and Economic Behavior, Elsevier, vol. 129(C), pages 329-349.
    6. Geraldes, Diogo & Riedl, Arno & Strobel, Martin, 2021. "Gender Differences in Performance Under Competition:," Research Memorandum 002, Maastricht University, Graduate School of Business and Economics (GSBE).
    7. Halladay, Brianna & Landsman, Rachel, 2022. "Perception matters: The role of task gender stereotype on confidence and tournament selection," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 199(C), pages 35-43.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Competitive sorting; Segregation; Self-assessment; Self-stereotyping; Stereotypes;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C79 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Game Theory and Bargaining Theory - - - Other
    • C91 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Laboratory, Individual Behavior
    • D84 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Expectations; Speculations
    • J16 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Gender; Non-labor Discrimination
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity

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