Dr. Fornwagner: 'Gender has long been reported to be a driving factor in domains'

In December 2022, researchers from the University of Exeter Business School and the University of Regensburg published a groundbreaking study in Nature: Scientific Reports, examining the influence of gender identity and biological sex on economic decision-making. The study provides valuable insights into economic behavior across diverse groups and emphasizes the need for inclusive research in understanding human behavior.

Led by Dr. Helena Fornwagner and Brit Grosskopf from the University of Exeter Business School, along with Alexander Lauf, Vanessa Schöller, and Silvio Städter from the University of Regensburg, the study marks the first comprehensive analysis of transgender and cisgender economic behavior. 

The researchers set out to investigate whether gender identity and biological sex play significant roles in shaping economic decisions, such as job applications, risk-taking, and charitable contributions. To examine the impact of gender identity, the team conducted a controlled experimental study involving 780 participants, approximately half of whom identified as transgender. 

The researchers hypothesized that individuals with the same gender identity (cis men and trans men, as well as cis women and trans women) would make similar economic decisions if gender identity determined levels of competitiveness, risk-taking or altruism with money. 

Conversely, those with different gender identities were expected to exhibit significantly different economic behaviors. Furthermore, the study suggested that participants with the same biological sex (cis men and trans women, and cis women and trans men) would behave comparably.

To prime the participants with specific gender identities, a word search exercise was employed before making any economic decisions. This exercise subconsciously assigned them a masculine, feminine or gender-neutral identity by asking them to find gender-specific words. 

The researchers then employed a series of well-known economic experiments to evaluate participants' competitiveness with money, willingness to take risks and propensity to give to charity. Contrary to expectations and previous studies linking gender to economic behavior, the researchers discovered that gender identity and biological sex had no significant impact on participants' economic decisions. 

This unexpected finding suggests that the role of gender and sex in economic behavior may not be as decisive as previously assumed. The researchers propose that educational initiatives and increased awareness of gender equality in both private and professional settings may have contributed to the narrowing of behavioral differences observed in studies conducted nearly two decades ago. 

Dr. Fornwagner discussed the study's implications, stating, "Despite the partly unexpected findings that led us to conclude that the role of gender and sex is not as decisive for economic behavior as previously assumed, we believe there are several important takeaways from this study." 

She emphasized the need to understand the economic behavior of transgender individuals, emphasizing inclusivity in experimental economic research to reflect the diversity of society.

The study, titled "On the robustness of gender differences in economic behavior," highlights the significance of challenging traditional assumptions and expanding research to encompass all groups under the LGBTQ+ umbrella. 

It calls for further investigation into the economic behaviors of diverse populations to gain a comprehensive understanding of human behavior in economic contexts. With its groundbreaking findings and a focus on inclusivity, this study paves the way for more nuanced discussions and research on the intricate relationship between gender, biological sex, and economic decision-making. 

As societal norms and attitudes evolve, it is crucial for research to keep pace and capture the dynamic nature of human behavior across diverse populations.