Interviews with Experts: Gender Differences in Tentative Language Usage by Economists
分析了NPR播客Planet Money中经济学家的访谈，发现女性经济学家比男性更可能使用试探性语言，但学术背景（如拥有博士学位）与试探性语言的关联更强。
In part due to the increased popularity of podcasts, economists are frequently asked to offer their expert judgment on economic events. This study explores gender differences in economists’ word choices during interviews on the NPR podcast Planet Money. Interview transcripts from Planet Money episodes were analyzed to test for gender differences in economists’ use of tentative language. Though sensitive to model specification, the evidence provides some support that female economists are more likely to use tentative language compared to male economists. A much stronger association exists between tentative language usage and an economist’s academic background. Economists who hold PhDs use tentative language far more frequently than professional economists who lack doctoral degrees. The article concludes by considering possible explanations for these gendered language patterns among professional economists.HIGHLIGHTSWomen economists use more cautious language in podcasts and public economic discussions.Tentative language reflects openness to uncertainty, complexity, and diverse views.Gendered norms and peer pressure shape confidence in academic economics.Labor, inequality, and race research is linked to more careful expert communication.Policy debates may benefit from humility and caution in economic expertise.