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Do Men Matter to Female Competition Even When They Don't?

Author

Listed:
  • Birk, Erica G.

    (Analysis Group)

  • Lee, Logan M.

    (Grinnell College)

  • Waddell, Glen R.

    (University of Oregon)

Abstract

A large literature attempts to identify factors that contribute to gender differences in performance and in the decision to compete. We exploit a highly competitive environment in which elite-female athletes are exposed to the presence of men without the element of direct competition, which allows for the identification of psychological effects of competition. Our results suggest that the presence of men affects the performance of female runners differentially across ability, with negative performance effects being concentrated among lower-ability runners.

Suggested Citation

  • Birk, Erica G. & Lee, Logan M. & Waddell, Glen R., 2016. "Do Men Matter to Female Competition Even When They Don't?," IZA Discussion Papers 10184, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp10184
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Krawczyk, Michał & Wilamowski, Maciej, 2019. "Task difficulty and overconfidence. Evidence from distance running," Journal of Economic Psychology, Elsevier, vol. 75(PB).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    competition; competitiveness; athlete; gender;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J16 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Gender; Non-labor Discrimination
    • D01 - Microeconomics - - General - - - Microeconomic Behavior: Underlying Principles
    • D03 - Microeconomics - - General - - - Behavioral Microeconomics: Underlying Principles

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