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Anticipating Peer Ranking Causes Hormonal Adaptations that Benefit Cognitive Performance

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Listed:
  • Carsten de Dreu

    (Leiden University)

  • Klarita Gërxhani

    (European University Institute)

  • Arthur Schram

    (University of Amsterdam)

Abstract

Performance ranking is common across a range of professional and recreational domains. Even when it has no economic consequences but does order people in terms of their social standing, anticipating such performance ranking may impact how people feel and perform. We examined this possibility by asking human subjects to execute a simple cognitive task while anticipating their performance being ranked by an outside evaluator. We measured baseline and post-performance levels of testosterone and cortisol. We find that (i) anticipating performance ranking reduces testosterone and increases cortisol; (ii) both these hormonal responses benefit cognitive performance; which explains why (iii) anticipation of being ranked by a peer increases cognitive performance.

Suggested Citation

  • Carsten de Dreu & Klarita Gërxhani & Arthur Schram, 2019. "Anticipating Peer Ranking Causes Hormonal Adaptations that Benefit Cognitive Performance," Tinbergen Institute Discussion Papers 19-040/I, Tinbergen Institute.
    • Handle: RePEc:tin:wpaper:20190040
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Brandts, Jordi & Gërxhani, Klarita & Schram, Arthur, 2020. "Are there gender differences in status-ranking aversion?," Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Economics (formerly The Journal of Socio-Economics), Elsevier, vol. 84(C).

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