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Gender differences in the effect of subjective feedback in an online game

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  • Lovász, Anna
  • Cukrowska-Torzewska, Ewa
  • Rigó, Mariann
  • Szabó-Morvai, Ágnes

Abstract

We test for gender differences in the impact of subjective feedback, using an online game with randomized treatment in the form of pop-up texts and graphics. We estimate the impact of giving encouragement or praise on performance (score, accuracy) and persistence (number of games played). We find some evidence of gender differences: while praise has little impact, encouragement has a positive impact on the persistence and performance of females and a negative impact on the performance of males. These are driven by those with low task-related confidence. The findings suggest that giving more individualized feedback – such as encouragement to females with low task-related confidence – can potentially improve gender equality, especially in traditionally male fields.

Suggested Citation

  • Lovász, Anna & Cukrowska-Torzewska, Ewa & Rigó, Mariann & Szabó-Morvai, Ágnes, 2022. "Gender differences in the effect of subjective feedback in an online game," Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Economics (formerly The Journal of Socio-Economics), Elsevier, vol. 98(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:soceco:v:98:y:2022:i:c:s2214804322000295
    DOI: 10.1016/j.socec.2022.101854
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    Cited by:

    1. Lovász, Anna & Bat-Erdene, Boldmaa & Cukrowska-Torzewska, Ewa & Rigó, Mariann & Szabó-Morvai, Ágnes, 2023. "Competition, subjective feedback, and gender gaps in performance," Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Economics (formerly The Journal of Socio-Economics), Elsevier, vol. 102(C).
    2. Lackner, Mario & Weichselbaumer, Michael, 2023. "Can barely winning lead to losing? Gender and past performance," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 208(C), pages 258-274.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Gender differences; Supervisory feedback; Non-cognitive traits;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I24 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Education and Inequality
    • 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
    • M50 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Personnel Economics - - - General

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