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Alma Cohen, Tzur Karelitz, Tamar Kricheli Katz et al., Gender-Neutral Language and Gender Disparities, VoxEU (Aug. 15, 2023).


Abstract: It has been suggested that the use of gendered language reinforces gendered stereotypes and influences behaviour. This column investigates whether the performance of women was affected when more gender-neutral language was introduced to Israeli standardised college entrance exams. The use of more gender-neutral language is associated with a significant improvement in performance on quantitative questions, where women are stereotypically perceived as underperforming, without negative effects on the performance of men.