Who Knows More About Politics? A Dual Explanation for the Gender Gap

Abstract

Numerous studies have documented a gender gap in political knowledge. Men score higher than women on quiz-style survey questions testing knowledge of national-level electoral politics and the “rules of the game.” Structural, situational, and psychological factors have been examined as possible explanations, but a residual gap remains after they are controlled. Two broad explanations have been advanced in the literature. First, women’s differential propensity to respond “don’t know” depresses their scores when correct answers to knowledge questions are tallied. Second, political knowledge questions typically focus on national-level electoral politics and the rules of the game, a focus that privileges men. This article joins these two broad explanations. Using a statewide survey of Ohio voters, it provides clear evidence that the residual gender gap in political knowledge is an artifact of measurement. Both the don’t know response and a focus on national-level politics and the rules of the game favor men.