The Effects of Gender on Choice in a Hawk & Dove Game
Major
English – Writing
Submission Type
Poster
Area of Study or Work
Economics
Faculty Advisor
Bryan McCannon
Location
CNS Atrium
Start Date
4-11-2026 11:15 AM
End Date
4-11-2026 12:30 PM
Abstract
In my presentation I will examine the effect of gender on risk preferences via choice in an off equilibrium payoff scenario of a Hawk/Dove game setup. My initial hypothesis was that men would be more likely to choose the equivalent of Hawk, and using a Difference-In-Difference model, men would also be more likely to switch from Hawk to Dove when the off equilibrium payoff was increased. I gathered data from 50 participants in an experiment run through a survey. Participants played two versions of the game with different off equilibrium payoff matrices and provided information about their gender, age, major, number of siblings, high school graduating class size, and ranked themselves on a 1-4 scale of selfish tendencies. I found that there was a significant gender effect on participant choice in the games. Contrary to my hypothesis, more women chose the Dove equivalent and were more likely to switch from Hawk to Dove when the off equilibrium payoff was increased.
The Effects of Gender on Choice in a Hawk & Dove Game
CNS Atrium
In my presentation I will examine the effect of gender on risk preferences via choice in an off equilibrium payoff scenario of a Hawk/Dove game setup. My initial hypothesis was that men would be more likely to choose the equivalent of Hawk, and using a Difference-In-Difference model, men would also be more likely to switch from Hawk to Dove when the off equilibrium payoff was increased. I gathered data from 50 participants in an experiment run through a survey. Participants played two versions of the game with different off equilibrium payoff matrices and provided information about their gender, age, major, number of siblings, high school graduating class size, and ranked themselves on a 1-4 scale of selfish tendencies. I found that there was a significant gender effect on participant choice in the games. Contrary to my hypothesis, more women chose the Dove equivalent and were more likely to switch from Hawk to Dove when the off equilibrium payoff was increased.