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Social context reveals gender differences in cooperative behavior

Author

Listed:
  • Anastasia Peshkovskaya

    (Tomsk State University
    Russian Academy of Sciences)

  • Tatiana Babkina

    (Tomsk State University
    Skolkovo Innovation Center)

  • Mikhail Myagkov

    (Tomsk State University
    University of Oregon)

Abstract

A number of previous researches indicate that men prefer competition over cooperation, and it is sometimes suggested that women show the opposite behavioral preference. In the current study the effects of social context on gender differences in cooperation are investigated. For the purpose, we compared men and women behavior under two social conditions: in groups of strangers and in groups with long-term socialization—groups of friends. The differences were found in changes in the level of cooperation, taking into account the effects of mixing social and gender variables. Social interaction and communication made cooperation of group members strength and sustainable. However, men’s and women’s cooperative behavior in groups differed. Women were initially more inclined to cooperate in interaction with strangers. Men showed greater sensitivity to sociality effects. They tended to make cooperative decisions more often if there were friends in the group. Furthermore, men cooperated with previously unknown people after socialization with them significantly more than women.

Suggested Citation

  • Anastasia Peshkovskaya & Tatiana Babkina & Mikhail Myagkov, 2018. "Social context reveals gender differences in cooperative behavior," Journal of Bioeconomics, Springer, vol. 20(2), pages 213-225, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:jbioec:v:20:y:2018:i:2:d:10.1007_s10818-018-9271-5
    DOI: 10.1007/s10818-018-9271-5
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Daniela Pasnicu & Mihaela Ghenta & Aniela Matei, 2019. "Transition to Bioeconomy: Perceptions and Behaviors in Central and Eastern Europe," The AMFITEATRU ECONOMIC journal, Academy of Economic Studies - Bucharest, Romania, vol. 21(50), pages 1-9, February.
    2. Tatiana Kozitsina & Alexander Chaban & Evgeniya Lukinova & Mikhail Myagkov, 2020. "The effect of monetary incentives on sociality induced cooperation," Papers 2011.07597, arXiv.org.
    3. Anastasia Peshkovskaya & Tatiana Babkina & Mikhail Myagkov, 2019. "Gender effects and cooperation in collective action: A laboratory experiment," Rationality and Society, , vol. 31(3), pages 337-353, August.
    4. repec:aud:audfin:v:21:y:2019:i:50:p:9 is not listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Gender differences; Cooperation; Social dilemma; Prisoner’s dilemma; Sociality; Group; Experiment;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • A13 - General Economics and Teaching - - General Economics - - - Relation of Economics to Social Values
    • C10 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric and Statistical Methods and Methodology: General - - - General
    • C40 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric and Statistical Methods: Special Topics - - - General
    • C71 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Game Theory and Bargaining Theory - - - Cooperative Games
    • C91 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Laboratory, Individual Behavior
    • C92 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Laboratory, Group Behavior

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