Competitive Scenarios Increase Competition in Women: A Meta-Analysis

Until recently, few researchers have closely investigated women’s intrasexual competition. A meta-analysis of 14 published studies with 61 effect sizes (N = 2,100) assessed the size of the effect of women’s competition. I hypothesized that (a) exposure to competitive situations would cause women to behave more competitively than women not exposed to these situations, and (b) age, domain of competition, and confidence in effect size coding would not moderate this effect. Results from the random effects meta-analysis indicated that women responded more competitively when shown high competition scenarios, r =.23, p,.001, 95% CI [.16,.31]. Additionally, age, domain of competition, and confidence in effect size coding did not moderate the effects of competition.