Gender differences in the accuracy of self-evaluations of performance.

Abstract

Research has shown that gender differences in self-perceptions exist. However, interpretational ambiguities make it impossible to determine whether these gender differences are due to the operation of biases. The present research investigated whether gender differences in biased selfperceptions exist by assessing the accuracy of posttask self-evaluations of performance. In accordance with self-consistency theory, it was hypothesized that Ss' expectancies affect their posttask self-evaluations. For example, men who generally have high expectancies on masculine-gendertyped tasks were hypothesized to evidence overly positive self-evaluations. Women, who generally hold low expectancies on masculine tasks, were hypothesized to hold overly negative self-evaluations. The results confirmed that self-consistency tendencies can partially explain self-perception biases. The implications of these findings for women's achievement behavior and self-confidence are discussed.

Do women have more shame than men? An experiment on self-assessment and the shame of overestimating oneself

“…This may imply that only women downgrade their self-assessment in Info due to a stronger (anticipated) social disapproval of their overconfidence. 6 Regardless of the root cause for the shame to overestimate oneself, we find that women are more shame-averse than men. Women's shame-aversion may lead to more cautious behavior and self-promotion?…”

Second Thoughts About Second Acts: Gender Differences in Serial Founding Rates

“…While many studies have focused on self-assessment of IQ or other intelligence measures (Beyer and Bowden 1997, Beyer 1990, Furnham 2001, Furnham et al 2002, similar effects have been observed in work performance reviews and many other domains (Beyer 1990, Beyer et al 2003, Blanch et al 2008. This difference seems to stem, in part, from social pressure for female modesty (Furnham et al 2002), coupled with a lower self-attribution bias among women, in that they are less likely to falsely attribute their success to their own efforts (Beyer 1990, Miller andRoss 1975).…”

“…The "male hubris, female humility" effect has been repeatedly identified in many studies and contexts: men consistently overestimate their own abilities while women consistently underestimate theirs (Beyer and Bowden 1997, Beyer 1990, 1998, Cross and Madson 1997, Furnham et al 2002. These findings have been shown to be "universal" across multiple cultures (Furnham et al 2002).…”

“…The "male hubris, female humility effect" suggests that, in addition to lower rates of unjustified confidence, women also have lower rates of confidence when faced with high quality signals (Beyer 1990, Furnham et al 2002. In the case of the male hubris, female humility effect, women are not accurately selfassessing their chances of success, rather they are being humble in the classical sense -modest about their own abilities or success.…”

“…In this paper, we suggest and test a novel mechanism that contributes to gender disparities in founding rates. We draw on research showing that entrepreneurship is driven by the degree to which founder's persist in the face of favorable or unfavorable conditions (Gimeno et al 1997, Hayward et al 2006, as well as research on gender differences related to assessments of success (Beyer 1990, Furnham et al 2002 to suggest that female founders will be less likely to engage in serial entrepreneurship when their first attempts fail, decreasing the likelihood that they become successful entrepreneurs. However, while women are less likely to engage in low quality entrepreneurship in the face of failure, they are also less encouraged than men by prior success, which would result in a reduction in serial entrepreneurial activity associated with high quality opportunities, further decreasing the rate of successful female entrepreneurs.…”