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On the evolution of male competitiveness

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  • Alger, Ingela
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.

Suggested Citation

  • Alger, Ingela, 2020. "On the evolution of male competitiveness," TSE Working Papers 20-1093, Toulouse School of Economics (TSE), revised May 2021.
    • Handle: RePEc:tse:wpaper:124216
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    2. Alger, Ingela & Dridi, Slimane & Stieglitz, Jonathan & Wilson, Michael, 2022. "The evolution of early hominin food production and sharing," TSE Working Papers 22-1337, Toulouse School of Economics (TSE).

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    • D73 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Bureaucracy; Administrative Processes in Public Organizations; Corruption
    • C73 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Game Theory and Bargaining Theory - - - Stochastic and Dynamic Games; Evolutionary Games
    • Z1 - Other Special Topics - - Cultural Economics

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