Less macho, more mellow: the malleability of competitiveness

Publication type

Research Paper

Series Number

Authors

Publication date

May 17, 2024

Summary:

We investigate how the preference to compete can change based on regular interactions within gender-skewed groups. We take advantage of repeated observations on an experimental measure of competitiveness from a large sample of university students and quasi-random assignment to campus accommodation. Men living with a higher proportion of female flatmates exhibit a significant decrease in competitiveness over a one year period. There is no effect for women. Our results suggest that exposure to a gender unbalanced social environment can influence male competitive preferences even within a relatively short period of time.

Subjects

#578245

---

Related Publications

• Male UK university students are ‘less macho’ when sharing flats with women

  1. Adeline Delavande
  2. Emilia Del Bono
  3. Angus Holford
  4. Patrick Nolen

  Media
  August 18, 2024