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Gender Matters in Language and Economic Behaviour: Can we Measure a Causal Cognition Effect of Speaking?

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  • Beblo, Miriam
  • Görges, Luise
  • Markowsky, Eva

Abstract

We study potential drivers of the link between gendered languages and gender differences in economic behaviour that economists have recently documented. Combining identity economics and linguistic theory, our formal model distinguishes a direct effect of speaking a gendered language from indirect effects through gender norms and highlights pitfalls in discriminating these effects empirically, particularly when studying behaviour of immigrants. Our empirical exercises illustrate the severity of the problem, as self-selection and intergenerational transmission of traits appear to bias estimates of the link between migrant behaviour and gendered language.

Suggested Citation

  • Beblo, Miriam & Görges, Luise & Markowsky, Eva, 2020. "Gender Matters in Language and Economic Behaviour: Can we Measure a Causal Cognition Effect of Speaking?," Labour Economics, Elsevier, vol. 65(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:labeco:v:65:y:2020:i:c:s0927537120300543
    DOI: 10.1016/j.labeco.2020.101850
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    Cited by:

    1. Shen, Kailing, 2021. "Gender Discrimination," IZA Discussion Papers 14897, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    2. Paul M. Gorny & Petra Nieken & Karoline Ströhlein, 2023. "He, She, They? The Impact of Gendered Language on Economic Behavior," CESifo Working Paper Series 10458, CESifo.
    3. Gutmann, Jerg & Marchal, Léa & Simsek, Betül, 2023. "Women's Rights and the Gender Migration Gap," ILE Working Paper Series 67, University of Hamburg, Institute of Law and Economics.
    4. Markowsky, Eva, 2022. "Culture, Female Labour Force Participation, and Selective Migrationː New Meta-Analytic Evidence," WiSo-HH Working Paper Series 65, University of Hamburg, Faculty of Business, Economics and Social Sciences, WISO Research Laboratory.

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