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Gender of the opponent and reaction to competition outcomes

Author

Listed:
  • C Mollier

    (EconomiX - EconomiX - UPN - Université Paris Nanterre - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique)

  • A García-Gallego

    (Universitat Jaume I = Jaume I University)

  • T Jaber-Lopez

    (CSIC - Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas [España] = Spanish National Research Council [Spain])

  • S Zaccagni

    (Department of Economics and Business Economics [Aarhus] - Aarhus University [Aarhus])

Abstract

We investigate how competition outcomes and the opponent's gender affect the decision to compete again, using a lab experiment. Our experimental design adopts the strategy method to measure individuals' reactions to winning or losing. Subjects indicate their willingness to compete again based on performance gaps with their opponents. Furthermore, gender is inferred from participant-selected-names, allowing us to explore the role of the opponent's gender. Against our main hypothesis, after winning against a female opponent men exhibit a decrease in their willingness to compete again. The primary mechanism underlying men's behavior appears to be the presence of inaccurate beliefs—specifically, expecting to win but ultimately losing. Our main finding is that men with inaccurate beliefs, when competing against women, are significantly more likely to re-enter the competition and to outperform their female opponents in subsequent rounds.

Suggested Citation

  • C Mollier & A García-Gallego & T Jaber-Lopez & S Zaccagni, 2025. "Gender of the opponent and reaction to competition outcomes," Post-Print hal-05358737, HAL.
    • Handle: RePEc:hal:journl:hal-05358737
    DOI: 10.1016/j.socec.2025.102475
    Note: View the original document on HAL open archive server: https://hal.science/hal-05358737v1
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