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Does Unfairness Hurt Women? The Effects of Losing Unfair Competitions

Author

Listed:
  • Stefano Piasenti

    (HU Berlin)

  • Marica Valente

    (University of Innsbruck)

  • Roel van Veldhuizen

    (Lund University)

  • Gregor Pfeifer

    (University of Sydney)

Abstract

How do men and women differ in their persistence after experiencing failure in a competitive environment? We tackle this question by combining a large online experiment (N=2,086) with machine learning. We find that when losing is unequivocally due to merit, both men and women exhibit a significant decrease in subsequent tournament entry. However, when the prior tournament is unfair, i.e., a loss is no longer necessarily based on merit, women are more discouraged than men. These results suggest that transparent meritocratic criteria may play a key role in preventing women from falling behind after experiencing a loss.

Suggested Citation

  • Stefano Piasenti & Marica Valente & Roel van Veldhuizen & Gregor Pfeifer, 2023. "Does Unfairness Hurt Women? The Effects of Losing Unfair Competitions," Rationality and Competition Discussion Paper Series 410, CRC TRR 190 Rationality and Competition.
    • Handle: RePEc:rco:dpaper:410
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    competitiveness; gender; fairness; machine learning; online experiment;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C90 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - General
    • 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
    • C14 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric and Statistical Methods and Methodology: General - - - Semiparametric and Nonparametric Methods: General

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