Sex differences in some behaviors are well established, but it’s unclear whether differences still occur within highly selective sub-populations, such as expert financial decision makers or elite athletes. Researchers assessed the competitiveness of over 1,100 collegiate distance runners and tested whether the already-known sex difference in competitiveness narrowed when considering the fastest runners. They found the difference between genders was just as large among the fastest as it was among the slowest runners.
Whether or not sex differences disappear among selective sub-populations has important implications. On one hand, if differences decrease it would indicate that when women and men are provided with equal opportunities and training, then sex differences in behavior can be erased. On the other hand, if differences persist among selective sub-populations then it could support the case for gender diversity in the workplace, since men and women might have complementary strengths and weaknesses.
Although the new study is based on a very large data set and found a reliable sex difference in competitiveness, the researchers acknowledged there is much individual variability. “By social science standards, the difference we found–men and women differing by about half a standard deviation on competitiveness measures–is moderate to large. But this kind of a difference still means that many of the female runners are more competitive than many of the male runners,” noted lead researcher Deaner of Grand Valley State University.
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