Journal of Evolutionary Psychology
Volume/Issue:
Volume 12: Issue 2-4
Sizing up Helen
Nonviolent physical risk-taking enhances the envisioned bodily formidability of women
Authors:
Daniel Fessler University of California, Los Angeles Department of Anthropology and Center for Behavior, Evolution & Culture 341 Haines Hall Los Angeles CA 90095-1553 USA

Search for other papers by Daniel Fessler in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
,
C. Holbrook University of California, Los Angeles Department of Anthropology and Center for Behavior, Evolution & Culture 341 Haines Hall Los Angeles CA 90095-1553 USA

Search for other papers by C. Holbrook in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
,
L. Tiokhin University of California, Los Angeles Department of Anthropology and Center for Behavior, Evolution & Culture 341 Haines Hall Los Angeles CA 90095-1553 USA

Search for other papers by L. Tiokhin in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
, and
J. Snyder University of California, Los Angeles Department of Anthropology and Center for Behavior, Evolution & Culture 341 Haines Hall Los Angeles CA 90095-1553 USA

Search for other papers by J. Snyder in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
Pages:
67–80
Online Publication Date:
13 Oct 2014
Publication Date:
01 Dec 2014
Article Category:
Research Article
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1556/jep-d-14-00009
Keywords:
risk-taking; threat assessment; signaling; formidability; women
Restricted access

Men are more prone than women to both commit physical violence and engage in nonviolent activities entailing the risk of injury or death. The Crazy Bastard Hypothesis (Fessler et al. 2014a) addresses this conjunction, arguing that nonviolent physical risk-taking communicates information about the actor’s agonistic formidability, as individuals who are indifferent to the possibility of harm are more likely to enter conflicts, and more difficult to repel, than those who are more sensitive to harm. Reflecting the use of bodily size in representations that summarize formidability, previous work demonstrates that risk-prone men are envisioned to be larger than are risk-averse men. Though less violent than men, particularly in highly competitive environments, women too sometimes benefit from engaging in violence. Correspondingly, observers should draw similar inferences regarding formidability when assessing physically risk-prone women. Results from both a large online experiment in the U.S. and a follow-up study using a modified dependent measure designed to reduce demand characteristics reveal that a woman described as risk-prone is envisioned to be larger — and thus more formidable — than is a woman described as risk-averse. Nonviolent physical risk-taking is thus available to women as an avenue for communicating formidability when it is advantageous to do so.

  • Archer, J. (2009): Does sexual selection explain human sex differences in aggression? Behavioral and Brain Sciences, 32, 249–266.

    Archer J. , 'Does sexual selection explain human sex differences in aggression? ' (2009 ) 32 Behavioral and Brain Sciences : 249 -266 .

    • Search Google Scholar

  • Baker, M. D. and Maner, J. K. (2009): Male risk-taking as a context-sensitive signaling device. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 45, 1136–1139.

    Maner J. K. , 'Male risk-taking as a context-sensitive signaling device ' (2009 ) 45 Journal of Experimental Social Psychology : 1136 -1139 .

    • Search Google Scholar

  • Blais, A.-R. and Weber, E. U. (2006): A domain-specific risk-taking (DOSPERT) scale for adult populations. Judgment and Decision Making, 1, 33–47.

    Weber E. U. , 'A domain-specific risk-taking (DOSPERT) scale for adult populations ' (2006 ) 1 Judgment and Decision Making : 33 -47 .

    • Search Google Scholar

  • Bliege Bird, R. and Smith, E. A. (2005): Signaling theory, strategic interaction, and symbolic capital. Current Anthropology, 46, 221–248.

    Smith E. A. , 'Signaling theory, strategic interaction, and symbolic capital ' (2005 ) 46 Current Anthropology : 221 -248 .

    • Search Google Scholar

  • Burbank, V. K. (1992): Sex, gender, and difference: Dimensions of aggression in an Australian Aboriginal community. Human Nature, 3, 251–278.

    Burbank V. K. , 'Sex, gender, and difference: Dimensions of aggression in an Australian Aboriginal community ' (1992 ) 3 Human Nature : 251 -278 .

    • Search Google Scholar

  • Campbell, A., Muncer, S. and Bibel, D. (1998): Female-female criminal assault: An evolutionary perspective. Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency, 35(4), 413–428.

    Bibel D. , 'Female-female criminal assault: An evolutionary perspective ' (1998 ) 35 Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency : 413 -428 .

    • Search Google Scholar

  • Cobey, K. D., Stulp, G., Laan, F., Buunk, A. P. and Pollet, T. V. (2013): Sex differences in risk taking behavior among Dutch cyclists. Evolutionary Psychology, 11, 350–364.

    Pollet T. V. , 'Sex differences in risk taking behavior among Dutch cyclists ' (2013 ) 11 Evolutionary Psychology : 350 -364 .

    • Search Google Scholar

  • Cross, C. P. and Campbell, A. C. (2014): Violence and aggression in women. In: T. K. Shackelford and R. D. Hansen (eds): The Evolution of Violence. New York: Springer, pp. 211–232.

    Campbell A. C. , '', in The Evolution of Violence , (2014 ) -.

  • Duguid, M. M. and Goncalo, J. A. (2012): Living large: The powerful overestimate their own height. Psychological Science, 23, 36–40.

    Goncalo J. A. , 'Living large: The powerful overestimate their own height ' (2012 ) 23 Psychological Science : 36 -40 .

    • Search Google Scholar

  • Farthing, G. (2005): Attitudes toward heroic and nonheroic physical risk takers as mates and as friends. Evolution and Human Behavior, 26, 171–185.

    Farthing G. , 'Attitudes toward heroic and nonheroic physical risk takers as mates and as friends ' (2005 ) 26 Evolution and Human Behavior : 171 -185 .

    • Search Google Scholar

  • Fessler, D. M. T. (2010): Madmen: An evolutionary perspective on anger and men’s violent responses to transgression. In: M. Potegal, G. Stemmler and C. D. Spielberger (eds): Handbook of Anger: Constituent and Concomitant Biological, Psychological, and Social Processes. New York: Springer, pp. 361–381.

    Fessler D. M. T. , '', in Handbook of Anger: Constituent and Concomitant Biological, Psychological, and Social Processes , (2010 ) -.

  • Fessler, D. M. T. and Holbrook, C. (2013a): Bound to lose: Physical incapacitation increases the conceptualized dimensions of an antagonist in men. PLoS ONE, 8, e71306 (doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0071306 )

    Holbrook C. , 'Bound to lose: Physical incapacitation increases the conceptualized dimensions of an antagonist in men ' (2013 ) 8 PLoS ONE : e71306 -.

    • Search Google Scholar

  • Fessler, D. M. T. and Holbrook, C. (2013b): Friends shrink foes: The presence of comrades decreases the envisioned physical formidability of an opponent. Psychological Science, 24, 797–802.

    Holbrook C. , 'Friends shrink foes: The presence of comrades decreases the envisioned physical formidability of an opponent ' (2013 ) 24 Psychological Science : 797 -802 .

    • Search Google Scholar

  • Fessler, D. M. T. and Holbrook, C. (in press): Marching into battle: Synchronous walking diminishes the conceptualized formidability of an antagonist. Biology Letters.

  • Fessler, D. M. T., Holbrook, C. and Dashoff, D. (n.d.): Dressed to kill? Visible markers of coalitional affiliation enhance conceptualized formidability. Manuscript in preparation.

  • Fessler, D. M. T., Holbrook, C. and Fleischman, D. S. (in press): Assets at risk: Menstrual cycle variation in the envisioned formidability of a potential sexual assailant reveals a component of threat assessment. Adaptive Human Behavior & Physiology.

  • Fessler, D. M. T., Holbrook, C. and Gervais, M. (2014b): Men’s physical strength moderates conceptualizations of prospective foes in two disparate societies. Human Nature, 25(3), 393–409.

    Gervais M. , 'Men’s physical strength moderates conceptualizations of prospective foes in two disparate societies ' (2014 ) 25 Human Nature : 393 -409 .

    • Search Google Scholar

  • Fessler, D. M. T., Holbrook, C. & Snyder, J. K. (2012): Weapons make the man (larger): Formidability is represented as size and strength in humans. PloS ONE, 7, e32751 (doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0032751 )

    Snyder J. K. , 'Weapons make the man (larger): Formidability is represented as size and strength in humans ' (2012 ) 7 PloS ONE : e32751 -.

    • Search Google Scholar

  • Fessler, D. M. T., Holbrook, C., Pollack, J. S. and Hahn-Holbrook, J. (2014c): Stranger danger: Parenthood increases the envisioned bodily formidability of menacing men. Evolution and Human Behavior, 35, 109–117.

    Hahn-Holbrook J. , 'Stranger danger: Parenthood increases the envisioned bodily formidability of menacing men ' (2014 ) 35 Evolution and Human Behavior : 109 -117 .

    • Search Google Scholar

  • Fessler, D. M. T., Tiokhin, L., Holbrook, C., Gervais, M. and Snyder, J. K. (2014a): Foundations of the Crazy Bastard Hypothesis: Nonviolent physical risk-taking enhances conceptualized formidability. Evolution and Human Behavior, 35, 26–33.

    Snyder J. K. , 'Foundations of the Crazy Bastard Hypothesis: Nonviolent physical risk-taking enhances conceptualized formidability ' (2014 ) 35 Evolution and Human Behavior : 26 -33 .

    • Search Google Scholar

  • Frankenhuis, W. E., Dotsch, R., Karremans, J. C. and Wigboldus, D. H. J. (2010): Male physical risk taking in a virtual environment. Journal of Evolutionary Psychology, 8, 75–86.

    Wigboldus D. H. J. , 'Male physical risk taking in a virtual environment ' (2010 ) 8 Journal of Evolutionary Psychology : 75 -86 .

    • Search Google Scholar

  • Hawkes, K. and Bliege Bird, R. (2002): Showing off, handicap signaling, and the evolution of men’s work. Evolutionary Anthropology, 11, 58–67.

    Bliege Bird R. , 'Showing off, handicap signaling, and the evolution of men’s work ' (2002 ) 11 Evolutionary Anthropology : 58 -67 .

    • Search Google Scholar

  • Hawkes, K. (1991): Showing off: Tests of an hypothesis about men’s foraging goals. Ethology and Sociobiology, 12, 29–54.

    Hawkes K. , 'Showing off: Tests of an hypothesis about men’s foraging goals ' (1991 ) 12 Ethology and Sociobiology : 29 -54 .

    • Search Google Scholar

  • Henrich, J., Heine, S. J. and Norenzayan, A. (2010): The weirdest people in the world? Behavioral and Brain Sciences, 33, 61–83.

    Norenzayan A. , 'The weirdest people in the world? ' (2010 ) 33 Behavioral and Brain Sciences : 61 -83 .

    • Search Google Scholar

  • Holbrook, C. and Fessler, D. M. T. (2013): Sizing up the threat: The envisioned physical formidability of terrorists tracks their leaders’ failures and successes. Cognition, 127, 46–56.

    Fessler D. M. T. , 'Sizing up the threat: The envisioned physical formidability of terrorists tracks their leaders’ failures and successes ' (2013 ) 127 Cognition : 46 -56 .

    • Search Google Scholar

  • Holbrook, C., Fessler, D. M. T. and Navarrete, C. D. (under review): Stature or danger: Racist stereotypes moderate the conceptual links between threat, social status, and physical size. Manuscript under review.

  • Kelly, S. and Dunbar, R. I. M. (2001): Who dares, wins: Heroism versus altruism in women’s mate choice. Human Nature, 12, 89–105.

    Dunbar R. I. M. , 'Who dares, wins: Heroism versus altruism in women’s mate choice ' (2001 ) 12 Human Nature : 89 -105 .

    • Search Google Scholar

  • Killgore, W. D. S., Grugle, N. L., Killgore, D. B. and Balkin, T. J. (2010): Sex differences in self-reported risk-taking propensity on the evaluation of risks scale. Psychological Reports, 106, 693–700.

    Balkin T. J. , 'Sex differences in self-reported risk-taking propensity on the evaluation of risks scale ' (2010 ) 106 Psychological Reports : 693 -700 .

    • Search Google Scholar

  • Morrongiello, B. A. and Hogg, K. (2004): Mothers’ reactions to children misbehaving in ways that can lead to injury: implications for gender differences in children’s risk taking and injuries. Sex Roles, 50, 103–118.

    Hogg K. , 'Mothers’ reactions to children misbehaving in ways that can lead to injury: implications for gender differences in children’s risk taking and injuries ' (2004 ) 50 Sex Roles : 103 -118 .

    • Search Google Scholar

  • Ronay, R. and von Hippel, W. (2010): The presence of an attractive woman elevates testosterone and physical risk taking in young men. Social Psychological and Personality Science, 1, 57–64.

    von Hippel W. , 'The presence of an attractive woman elevates testosterone and physical risk taking in young men ' (2010 ) 1 Social Psychological and Personality Science : 57 -64 .

    • Search Google Scholar

  • Smith, E. A. and Bliege Bird, R. L. (2000): Turtle hunting and tombstone opening: Public generosity as costly signaling. Evolution and Human Behavior, 21, 245–261.

    Bliege Bird R. L. , 'Turtle hunting and tombstone opening: Public generosity as costly signaling ' (2000 ) 21 Evolution and Human Behavior : 245 -261 .

    • Search Google Scholar

  • Stenstrom, E., Saad, G., Nepomuceno, M. V. and Mendenhall, Z. (2011): Testosterone and domain-specific risk: Digit ratios (2D: 4D and rel2) as predictors of recreational, financial, and social risk-taking behaviors. Personality and Individual Differences, 51, 412–416.

    Mendenhall Z. , 'Testosterone and domain-specific risk: Digit ratios (2D: 4D and rel2) as predictors of recreational, financial, and social risk-taking behaviors ' (2011 ) 51 Personality and Individual Differences : 412 -416 .

    • Search Google Scholar

  • Sylwester, K. and Pawłowski, B. (2011): Daring to be darling: Attractiveness of risk takers as partners in long-and short-term sexual relationships. Sex Roles, 64, 695–706.

    Pawłowski B. , 'Daring to be darling: Attractiveness of risk takers as partners in long-and short-term sexual relationships ' (2011 ) 64 Sex Roles : 695 -706 .

    • Search Google Scholar

  • Thomas, J., Kavanagh, J., Tucker, H., Burchett, H., Tripney, J. and Oakley, A. (2007): Accidental injury, risk-taking behaviour and the social circumstances in which young people (aged 12–24) live: A systematic review. London: EPPI-Centre, Social Science Research Unit, Institute of Education, University of London. Retrieved from http://eprints.ioe.ac.uk/5259/1/Thomas2007AccidentalInjury.pdf

    Oakley A. , '', in Accidental injury, risk-taking behaviour and the social circumstances in which young people (aged 12–24) live: A systematic review , (2007 ) -.

  • Thomsen, L., Frankenhuis, W. E., Ingold-Smith, M. C. and Carey, S. (2011): Big and mighty: Preverbal infants mentally represent social dominance. Science, 331, 477.

    Carey S. , 'Big and mighty: Preverbal infants mentally represent social dominance ' (2011 ) 331 Science : 477 -.

    • Search Google Scholar

  • Wilke, A., Hutchinson, J. M. C., Todd, P. M. and Kruger, D. J. (2006): Is risk taking used as a cue in mate choice? Evolutionary Psychology, 4, 367–393.

    Kruger D. J. , 'Is risk taking used as a cue in mate choice? ' (2006 ) 4 Evolutionary Psychology : 367 -393 .

    • Search Google Scholar

  • Wilson, M. and Daly, M. (1985): Competitiveness, risk taking, and violence: The young male syndrome. Ethology & Sociobiology, 6, 59–73.

    Daly M. , 'Competitiveness, risk taking, and violence: The young male syndrome ' (1985 ) 6 Ethology & Sociobiology : 59 -73 .

    • Search Google Scholar

  • Wilson, M., Daly, M. and Pound, N. (2002): An evolutionary psychological perspective on the modulation of competitive confrontation and risk taking. In: D. W. Pfaff, A. P. Arnold, A. M. Etgen, S. E. Fahrbach and R. T. Rubin (eds): Hormones, Brain and Behavior, Vol. 5. San Diego: Academic Press, pp. 381–408.

    Pound N. , '', in Hormones, Brain and Behavior, Vol. 5 , (2002 ) -.

  • Yap, A. J., Mason, M. F. and Ames, D. R. (2013): The powerful size others down: The link between power and estimates of others’ size. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 49, 591–594.

    Ames D. R. , 'The powerful size others down: The link between power and estimates of others’ size ' (2013 ) 49 Journal of Experimental Social Psychology : 591 -594 .

    • Search Google Scholar
  • Collapse
  • Expand
Cover Journal of Evolutionary Psychology
Journal of Evolutionary Psychology
Print ISSN:
1789-2082
Online ISSN:
2060-5587

Journal of Evolutionary Psychology 
Language English
Size  
Year of
Foundation		 2007 (2003)
Publication
Programme		 changed title
Volumes
per Year		  
Issues
per Year		  
Founder Akadémiai Kiadó
Founder's
Address		 H-1117 Budapest, Hungary 1516 Budapest, PO Box 245.
Publisher Akadémiai Kiadó
Publisher's
Address		 H-1117 Budapest, Hungary 1516 Budapest, PO Box 245.
Responsible
Publisher		 Chief Executive Officer, Akadémiai Kiadó
ISSN 1789-2082 (Print)
ISSN 2060-5587 (Online)

Monthly Content Usage

Abstract Views Full Text Views PDF Downloads
Jul 2024 12 0 0
Aug 2024 40 1 1
Sep 2024 92 0 0
Oct 2024 99 0 0
Nov 2024 131 0 0
Dec 2024 157 0 0
Jan 2025 34 0 0