The belief that men and women have fundamentally distinct natures,
resulting in divergent preferences and behaviours, is widespread.
Recently, economists have also engaged in the search for gender
differences, with a number claiming to find fundamental gender
differences regarding risk-taking, altruism, and competition. In
particular, the idea that "women are more risk-averse than men" has
become accepted as a truism. But is it true? And what are its causes
and consequences? Gender and Risk Taking makes three contributions.
First, it asks whether the belief that men and women have distinct
risk preferences is backed up by high quality empirical evidence. The
answer turns out to be "no." This leads to a second question: Why,
then, does so much of the literature claim to find evidence of
"difference"? This, it will be shown, can be attributed to biases
arising from too-easy categorical thinking, widespread stereotyping,
and a tendency to prefer results that are publishable and that fit
one’s prior beliefs. Third, the book explores the economic
implications of the conventional association of risk-taking with
masculinity and risk-aversion with femininity. Not only fairness in
employment, but also the health of the financial sector and national
responses to climate change, this book argues, are being compromised.
This volume will be eye-opening for anyone interested in gender,
decision-making, cognition, and/or risk, especially in areas relating
to employment, finance, management, or public policy.
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Produktdetaljer
ISBN
9781351980401
Publisert
2017
Utgave
1. utgave
Utgiver
Vendor
Routledge
Språk
Product language
Engelsk
Format
Product format
Digital bok
Forfatter