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Gender stereotypes, language and performance∗

Author

Listed:
  • Della Giusta, Marina
  • Jaworska, Sylvia
  • Sevilla, Almudena
  • Razzu, Giovanni

Abstract

This paper examines how gender stereotypes about competence and language in perfor- mance evaluations influences the assessment of man and women employees. Using a unique dataset of reviews annotated by expert linguists, we identify instances of communal and agentive language used by women and men managers and find that agentive language bene- fits women more than men employees, with stronger effects for women who outperform. We find that women evaluators need to use more agentive language to effectively assess women compared to male evaluators confirming the gender and competence stereotype. Addition- ally, we also find suggestive evidence that agentive language used by women evaluators for men employees negatively affects their ratings while men evaluators can use gender incongruent language. These findings highlight the spillover effects of gendered language and suggest that women leaders may face backlash when using traditionally male-typed language for men employees.

Suggested Citation

  • Della Giusta, Marina & Jaworska, Sylvia & Sevilla, Almudena & Razzu, Giovanni, 2026. "Gender stereotypes, language and performance∗," European Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 184(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:eecrev:v:184:y:2026:i:c:s0014292126000152
    DOI: 10.1016/j.euroecorev.2026.105271
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • D91 - Microeconomics - - Micro-Based Behavioral Economics - - - Role and Effects of Psychological, Emotional, Social, and Cognitive Factors on Decision Making
    • J16 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Gender; Non-labor Discrimination

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