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Social Exclusion: More Important to Human Females Than Males

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  • Joyce F Benenson
  • Henry Markovits
  • Brittney Hultgren
  • Tuyet Nguyen
  • Grace Bullock
  • Richard Wrangham

Abstract

Theoretical models based on primate evidence suggest that social structure determines the costs and benefits of particular aggressive strategies. In humans, males more than females interact in groups of unrelated same-sex peers, and larger group size predicts success in inter-group contests. In marked contrast, human females form isolated one-on-one relationships with fewer instrumental benefits, so social exclusion constitutes a more useful strategy. If this model is accurate, then human social exclusion should be utilized by females more than males and females should be more sensitive to its occurrence. Here we present four studies supporting this model. In Study 1, using a computerized game with fictitious opponents, we demonstrate that females are more willing than males to socially exclude a temporary ally. In Study 2, females report more actual incidents of social exclusion than males do. In Study 3, females perceive cues revealing social exclusion more rapidly than males do. Finally, in Study 4, females’ heart rate increases more than males’ in response to social exclusion. Together, results indicate that social exclusion is a strategy well-tailored to human females’ social structure.

Suggested Citation

  • Joyce F Benenson & Henry Markovits & Brittney Hultgren & Tuyet Nguyen & Grace Bullock & Richard Wrangham, 2013. "Social Exclusion: More Important to Human Females Than Males," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 8(2), pages 1-6, February.
  • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0055851
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0055851
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    Cited by:

    1. Patrick O’Donnell & Lisa Moran & Stefan Geelen & Diarmuid O’Donovan & Maria van den Muijsenbergh & Khalifa Elmusharaf, 2021. "“There is people like us and there is people like them, and we are not like them.” Understating social exclusion – a qualitative study," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 16(6), pages 1-19, June.
    2. Annis Lai-Chu Fung, 2021. "Sex Differences in the Relationships between Forms of Peer Victimization and Reactive and Proactive Aggression in Schoolchildren," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(10), pages 1-13, May.
    3. Francesca Garbarini & Riccardo Boero & Federico D'Agata & Giangiacomo Bravo & Cristina Mosso & Franco Cauda & Sergio Duca & Giuliano Geminiani & Katiuscia Sacco, 2014. "Neural Correlates of Gender Differences in Reputation Building," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 9(9), pages 1-13, September.

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