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Gender Differences in Stereotypes of Risk Preferences: Experimental Evidence from a Matrilineal and a Patrilineal Society

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  • Andreas Pondorfer

    (Kiel Institute for the World Economy, 24105 Kiel, Germany)

  • Toman Barsbai

    (Kiel Institute for the World Economy, 24105 Kiel, Germany)

  • Ulrich Schmidt

    (Kiel Institute for the World Economy, 24105 Kiel, Germany; University of Kiel, 24118 Kiel, Germany; and Department of Economics and Econometrics, University of Johannesburg, Auckland Park 2006, South Africa)

Abstract

We use a controlled experiment to analyze gender differences in stereotypes about risk preferences of men and women across two distinct island societies in the Pacific: the patrilineal Palawan in the Philippines and the matrilineal Teop in Papua New Guinea. We find no gender differences in actual risk preferences, but we find evidence for culture-specific stereotypes. Like men in Western societies, Palawan men overestimate women’s actual risk aversion. By contrast, Teop men underestimate women’s actual risk aversion. We argue that the observed differences in stereotypes between the two societies are determined by the different social status of women.

Suggested Citation

  • Andreas Pondorfer & Toman Barsbai & Ulrich Schmidt, 2017. "Gender Differences in Stereotypes of Risk Preferences: Experimental Evidence from a Matrilineal and a Patrilineal Society," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 63(10), pages 3268-3284, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:inm:ormnsc:v:63:y:2017:i:10:p:3268-3284
    DOI: 10.1287/mnsc.2016.2505
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    3. Nathan Barrymore & Cristian L. Dezső & Benjamin C. King, 2022. "Gender and competitiveness when earning for others: Experimental evidence and implications for sponsorship," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 43(5), pages 905-934, May.
    4. Siqi Ma & Li Hao & John A. Aloysius, 2021. "Women are an Advantage in Supply Chain Collaboration and Efficiency," Production and Operations Management, Production and Operations Management Society, vol. 30(5), pages 1427-1441, May.
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    6. Germà Bel, 2022. "Beyond government size: Types of government intervention and corruption," Regulation & Governance, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 16(4), pages 1174-1196, October.
    7. Collins, Matthew, 2022. "Sibling Gender, Inheritance Customs and Educational Attainment: Evidence from Matrilineal and Patrilineal Societies," Working Papers 2022:5, Lund University, Department of Economics.
    8. Klonner, Stefan & Pal, Sumantra & Schwieren, Christiane, 2020. "Equality of the Sexes and Gender Differences in Competition: Evidence from Three Traditional Societies," Working Papers 0675, University of Heidelberg, Department of Economics.

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