Gender Differences and Stereotypes in Strategic Thinking

UB Economics Working Papers E16/338

46 Pages Posted: 13 May 2016

See all articles by Maria Cubel

Maria Cubel

University of Barcelona - Department of Public Finance

Santiago Sanchez-Pages

University of Barcelona; King’s College London

Date Written: May 6, 2016

Abstract

Recent literature has emphasized that individuals display varying levels of strategic reasoning. This paper presents ten years worth of experimental data from two countries exploring the existence and endogeneity of gender differences in strategic sophistication. We report results from two experimental studies employing the beauty contest game, one from the classroom and one from the laboratory. We observe robust and significant gender differences in strategic sophistication in favour of men in zero-stake situations. These differences disappear when a monetary prize is awarded. We also find that depth of strategic reasoning varies with gender priming. Females display significantly higher levels of strategic sophistication than males when gender is made salient. This effect of gender priming is driven by females who believe women are superior in the game.

Keywords: guessing game, strategic sophistication, gender, stereotype threat, beliefs

JEL Classification: C72, C91, D81, J16

Suggested Citation

Cubel, Maria and Sanchez-Pages, Santiago, Gender Differences and Stereotypes in Strategic Thinking (May 6, 2016). UB Economics Working Papers E16/338, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2779022 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2779022

Maria Cubel (Contact Author)

University of Barcelona - Department of Public Finance ( email )

Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes, 585
Barcelona, 08007
Spain

Santiago Sanchez-Pages

University of Barcelona ( email )

Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes, 585
Barcelona, 08007
Spain

King’s College London ( email )

Strand
London, England WC2R 2LS
United Kingdom

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