Understanding How Gender Influences Sharing Negative Information
Researchers from Carnegie Mellon University in the United States and Bocconi University in Italy conducted a multi‑country investigation into how gender shapes the decision to disclose information, especially when that information might carry a negative impact. The findings, published in a peer‑reviewed psychology journal, illuminate persistent differences in how men and women approach revealing less favorable thoughts or outcomes to others. The study represents a collaborative effort by scientists across institutions, drawing on data from a broad participant pool to explore the motives behind information disclosure and the consequences that follow.
Across three separate experiments, more than a thousand people were involved to test the core idea that the urge to share can vary with gender. In the initial study, participants described moments when they felt a drive to disclose information and then indicated whether they actually shared what they were thinking or learning. This approach allowed researchers to map the conditional likelihood of disclosure against the emotional and social context surrounding each moment of sharing.
What emerged was a clear pattern regarding the type of information being considered for disclosure. Both men and women demonstrated similar readiness to disseminate positive information, such as achievements or favorable outcomes. However, when the information carried a negative tone or signaled underperformance, men were notably less likely to report a willingness to share. This divergence points to gendered differences in risk assessment and anticipated social repercussions when negative information is at stake.
Beyond the overall propensity to share, the study highlighted differences in perceived capability. Women tended to express greater satisfaction with their ability to communicate information when it carried potential negative implications. In contrast, many male participants reported a tendency to withhold thoughts and feelings even when sharing might benefit interpersonal understanding or collaborative problem solving. These findings suggest that social and internal pressures shape practical disclosure decisions in gendered ways, with a potential impact on workplace dynamics, relationships, and personal well‑being.
As the researchers explain, the results underscore the staying power of gender as a factor in how people decide what to reveal and what to guard. The study suggests that the benefits and risks of sharing negative information are not evenly distributed; men may experience distinct advantages as well as greater vulnerability to the drawbacks of disclosure, depending on the context. The co‑author and behavioral science professor emphasized that these patterns reflect broader social norms and individual differences that persist across different settings and cultures. Source context for the study includes contributions from researchers affiliated with prominent universities, reflecting a long‑standing interest in how communication styles intersect with gender expectations.
These insights align with a growing body of psychology research that examines not just what people say, but why they choose to say it and how others perceive those choices. The findings invite organizations and individuals to consider how information disclosure practices may be influenced by gender biases, and how such biases can affect teamwork, leadership decisions, and emotional safety in professional and personal relationships. While the study focuses on norms surrounding negative information, it also highlights the broader relevance of information management, trust, and openness in groups and communities. Citations: Carnegie Mellon University and Bocconi University researchers contributed to this body of work, which builds on established theories of social signaling and impression management. Attribution: researchers affiliated with Carnegie Mellon University and Bocconi University.