On the evolution of male competitiveness

Ingela Alger

No 20-1093, TSE Working Papers from Toulouse School of Economics (TSE)

Abstract: Since a man’s reproductive success depends on his ability to outcompete other men, male competitiveness may be expected to have been exposed to strong selective pressure throughout human history. Accordingly, the relatively low level of physical violence observed between men has been viewed as a puzzle. What could have limited the eagerness of men to out-compete each other? I study the evolution of male competitiveness in a model where men compete for both reproductive and productive resources. I show that high levels of male competitiveness are then consistent with evolution by natural selection if (a) the ecology is generous enough for men to supply little or no food to their children, (b) competing is not too costly in terms of productive resources, and (c) relatedness among males is low enough.

JEL-codes: C73 D73 Z1 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020-07, Revised 2021-05
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-evo and nep-gro
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (5)

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Related works:
Journal Article: On the evolution of male competitiveness (2021)
Working Paper: On the evolution of male competitiveness (2021)
Working Paper: On the evolution of male competitiveness (2021)
Working Paper: On the evolution of male competitiveness (2021)
Working Paper: On the evolution of male competitiveness (2021)
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:tse:wpaper:124216

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