Why men are like chimps and women are not

'Male warrior effect'

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/5333794.stm


Having a common enemy brings out the best in men, a new study has shown.

Psychologists created an economics game, asking groups of volunteers to decide whether to keep money for themselves or invest in a group fund.

Some 300 participants in the games were each initially paid three pounds and divided into groups of six.

They could then choose whether to keep the money, or invest it in a group fund.

They were told that the group fund would later be doubled and divided equally amongst all group members.

The strategy that would make the most money in many situations would involve holding onto your own money, and hoping that others invested in the fund.

The researchers therefore used the amount of money that an individual gave to the fund as a measure of altruism, or kindness to other people.

The scientists found that when people thought that their group was competing against outsiders from other universities, the group dynamic became different to when everyone was competing for themselves.

The men in each group became less self-orientated, and were more altruistic than before, approximately doubling their donations.

"The men actually helped their group by becoming more altruistic towards them," said Professor van Vugt.

"We've labelled it the male warrior effect."

For the women, there was no difference in their behaviour between when they were playing for the group, or for themselves.

Professor Van Vugt believes that the findings may explain some elements of human warfare.

"We believe that men may have evolved a psychology which makes them particularly interested in war," he said.

"Men are more likely to support a country going to war. Men are more likely sign up for the military and men are more likely to lead groups in more autocratic, militaristic ways than women," he added.

"We all know that males are more aggressive than females, but is that always true?

"In situations in which you have inter-group encounters, yes, men start becoming more aggressive than women, but with that comes a lot of co-operation within their group."

Professor Van Vugt said is was likely that the traits observed in the experiment were present in the common ancestor of humans and chimps.

The latter display similar behaviour, albeit in a more primitive form, when they raid neighbouring chimpanzee groups.
-------------------------------

 

Log in or Sign up to hide all adverts.

Bullocks, surely you realize the basis of this is evolution? Evolution is being shown to be a fairy tale or really just an impossibilty.

 

Log in or Sign up to hide all adverts.

I was in bio class today, and we had to do a lab. Our group of five was the only group entirely composed of males, and we finished 25% faster than the other groups.

I wondered if we finished so quickly because we all immediately adopted roles and got the job done (the other groups 'discussed'), or we're just badass scientists

Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image!

 

Log in or Sign up to hide all adverts.

That certainly makes sense from an evolutionary perspective. More aggressive and group oriented males would have beat out the less aggressive and more independent ones and spread the trait through the gene pool.

 

lol Sam dont worry your cute little ass about it. The men are talking .

 

She sure is purty

Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image!

-

Men have been conditioned to be more agressive.

 

Yeah chicks are purty, but they shouldn't try to think as well as doing the laundry

Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image!

 

You know imaplanck in the U.S women are becoming as agressive as men.

But i got to run, take care.

 

Iron my shirt bitch.

 

Ah come on Sam spank me.

 

Hey, guys, the women have to be docile and neutral ....if the "enemy" wins the battle, they'll be coming for the women, so the ones who express the least aggression won't be killed. Self-preservation is strong!

Baron Max

 

Do you fly a tri-plane dude?

 

Babe you are asking for it.

Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image!

 

Seems more likely that the conclusions drawn were incorrect and had more to do with investing money then altruism and wars. No difference for the women as they are terrible investors.

Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image!

 

Heheeeeee, give it to me.

Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image!

 

Hmm, much more fun for me NOT giving it to you!

Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image!

 

You know you want it really.

Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image!

 

You're in the wrong thread honey.

Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image!

http://www.sciforums.com/showthread.php?p=1143295#post1143295

 

The more you play hard to get , the more I want you. Hehe

 

Im only kidding, im promised to another.

Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image!