Men are more likely to make more extreme choices and decisions than women, whether positive or negative.
- The researchers found systematic evidence of greater male variability in their behavior.
- Several explanations are put forward, including an evolutionary theory that males must deviate from the average to stand out and attract females to reproduce.
Whether positive or negative, men tend to be more extreme than women. This is the conclusion of a study published on the 20th in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS). “Whether men and women consistently make different choices and decisions is one of the most fundamental (and controversial) questions in psychological research.”, estimates Stefan Volk, professor at the university of Syndey and author of the study.
Greater male variability
The researchers studied the behavior of more than 50,000 volunteers and found a difference in approach to choices and decisions between men and women. They examined gender differences in altruism, cooperation, trust, fairness, and attitudes toward time and risk in economic decision-making.
The researchers found systematic evidence of greater male variability. “We found that men were much more likely than women to be at the ends of the behavioral spectrum, acting very selfish or very altruistic, very trusting or very distrustful, very fair or very unfair, very risky or very risk averse and were either focused on the very short term or the very long term”, continues Stefan Volk.
Several possible explanations
The study authors suggest that the differences may have evolutionary roots. “This evolutionary theorization suggests that men had to deviate from the average to stand out and attract women to reproduce, while women were able to attract sexual partners without deviating from the average.”, suggests the researcher. But this hypothesis is not the only one put forward by scientists. “The parental investment theory would explain that men, unlike women, invest less in parenthood, are less selective in the choice of their partner and compete more for sexual partners.continues Stefan Volk.
Another possible explanation is that of a gendered approach explaining that men’s extreme behaviors are socially constructed and reinforced. “This alternative theory suggests that socially constructed patriarchy in many societies has successfully constrained women and the ability for them to display the same level of variability as men.”, says the researcher.
These findings should lead to changes in policies aimed at regulating extreme behavior. “Our research suggests that policies aimed at reducing extreme behavior should be more tailored to men”, confirms Stefan Volk.
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