Distributional preferences and competitive behavior

► We study the relationship between distributional preferences and competitive behavior in the lab. ► We distinguish between efficiency-minded, inequality averse, and spiteful types. ► Spiteful types perform better than the other two types in a competitive environment. ► Efficiency-minded subjects are more likely to self-select into a competitive environment. ► Distributional and risk preferences largely explain the gender gap in the willingness to compete.