Abstract
We conduct laboratory experiments that explore how gender stereotypes shape beliefs about ability of oneself and others in different categories of knowledge. The data reveal two patterns. First, men’s and women’s beliefs about both oneself and others exceed observed ability on average, particularly in difficult tasks. Second, overestimation of ability by both men and women varies across categories. To understand these patterns, we develop a model that separates gender stereotypes from misestimation of ability related to the difficulty of the task. We find that stereotypes contribute to gender gaps in self-confidence, assessments of others, and behavior in a cooperative game. (JEL C92, D83, D91, J16)
Highlights
We conduct laboratory experiments that explore how gender stereotypes shape beliefs about ability of oneself and others in different categories of knowledge
Women have been found to be less confident about their own ability in math and science than men, contributing to economically consequential differences in financial decision-making, academic performance, and career choices (Barber and Odean 2001; Buser, Niederle, and Oosterbeek 2014)
Biased beliefs about others shape discrimination against both women and minorities (Bohren, Imas, and Rosenberg 2017; Glover, Pallais, and Pariente 2017). Such biases are inconsistent with the standard model of statistical discrimination (Arrow 1973, Phelps 1972), in which equilibrium beliefs are accurate
Summary
We report three laboratory experiments, one at Ohio State University, one at Harvard Business School (but with most subjects being Harvard College undergraduates), and one at the University of California Santa Barbara.2 Our goal is to collect detailed data on beliefs about both own and others’ ability in different domains and to link these beliefs to strategic decisions.
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