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Gender and Performance Under Competitive Pressure: A Meta-Analysis of Experimental Studies

Author

Listed:
  • Christopher W. Gardiner

    (Universität Hamburg)

  • Eva Markowsky

    (Universität Potsdam, CEPA)

Abstract

This paper analyses a crucial aspect of the gender gap in competitive behaviour: performance under competitive pressure. We rely on existing experimental evidence to test the prevalent hypothesis that women ’choke’ under pressure while men increase their performance in high-pressure environments. To this aim, we combine the evidence of 70 experimental studies reporting 237 effect sizes that contrast gender differences in performance in various real-effort tasks in non-competitive and competitive settings. Contrary to prevalent belief, the gender gap in performance does not systematically increase under competitive pressure.

Suggested Citation

  • Christopher W. Gardiner & Eva Markowsky, 2025. "Gender and Performance Under Competitive Pressure: A Meta-Analysis of Experimental Studies," CEPA Discussion Papers 94, Center for Economic Policy Analysis.
    • Handle: RePEc:pot:cepadp:94
    DOI: 10.25932/publishup-69321
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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • J16 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Gender; Non-labor Discrimination
    • D91 - Microeconomics - - Micro-Based Behavioral Economics - - - Role and Effects of Psychological, Emotional, Social, and Cognitive Factors on Decision Making
    • C9 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments

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