Women ask for less (only from men): evidence from bargaining in the field

Abstract

Data from a TV show provide the opportunity to study gender differences and gender interaction effects in bargaining with sizable stakes. A proposer and a responder, who is selected by the proposer, bargain over a fixed pie. Proposers are in a stronger bargaining position because they have a positive outside option and information on the size of the pie, while responders have neither. The matching between male proposers and female responders stands as the most favorable for proposers. Women as responders demand less only from male proposers, which explains the difference in earnings.