Do evolutionary and cultural forces shape female aggression? This research explores the multifaceted influences of evolution and cultural norms on intrasexual aggression in women. The study argues that women's heightened emphasis on self-preservation, stemming from their critical role in infant survival, has shaped their approach to aggression. This evolved mechanism leads women to weigh the costs of aggression more heavily than men, resulting in a lower threshold for fear in situations posing direct bodily harm. This concern for personal safety also impacts female dominance hierarchies, where risks associated with hierarchy formation are not offset by increased reproductive success. As a result, female competition often manifests as indirect aggression or low-level direct combat, rather than the overt dominance displays seen in males. Moreover, the study examines how patriarchal structures have historically stigmatized female aggression, leading women to offer exculpatory accounts rather than justifications for their actions. The author proposes that these cultural interpretations have amplified evolutionarily based sex differences, impacting how women express aggression and navigate social dynamics.
As a contribution to Behavioral and Brain Sciences, this paper fits well within the journal's focus on interdisciplinary research exploring the intersection of psychology, neuroscience, and evolutionary biology. The study uses evolutionary psychology and cultural analysis to understand sex differences in aggression, aligning with the journal’s scope. The article further provides important commentary regarding gender bias, thereby ensuring the continuation of important discourse.