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Converging evidence for greater male variability in time, risk, and social preferences

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  • Christian Thöni

    (Faculty of Law, Criminal Justice and Public Administration, University of Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland)

  • Stefan Volk

    (University of Sydney Business School, University of Sydney, Camperdown NSW 2006, Australia)

Abstract

Gender differences in time, risk, and social preferences are important determinants of differential choices of men and women, with broad implications for gender-specific social and economic outcomes. To better understand the shape and form of gender differences in preferences, researchers have traditionally examined the mean differences between the two genders. We present an alternative perspective of greater male variability in preferences. In a meta-analysis of experimental economics studies with more than 50,000 individuals in 97 samples, we find converging evidence for greater male variability in time, risk, and social preferences. In some cases, we find greater male variability in addition to mean differences; in some cases, we only find greater male variability. Our findings suggest that theories of gender differences are incomplete if they fail to consider how the complex interaction of between-gender differences and within-gender variability determines differential choices and outcomes between women and men.

Suggested Citation

  • Christian Thöni & Stefan Volk, 2021. "Converging evidence for greater male variability in time, risk, and social preferences," Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, vol. 118(23), pages 2026112118-, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:nas:journl:v:118:y:2021:p:e2026112118
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    Cited by:

    1. Follett, Lendie & Henderson, Heath, 2023. "A hybrid approach to targeting social assistance," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 160(C).
    2. Antonio M. Espin & Valerio Capraro & Brice Corgnet & Simon Gachter & Roberto Hernan-Gonzalez & Praveen Kujal & Stephen Rassenti, 2021. "Differences in Cognitive Reflection Mediate Gender Differences in Social Preferences," Working Papers 21-22, Chapman University, Economic Science Institute.

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