Home
Scholarly Works
An evolutionary psychological perspective of...
Chapter

An evolutionary psychological perspective of indirect aggression in girls and women

Abstract

Although the effects of sexual selection on male mating competition and intrasexual aggression have been studied extensively for well over a century, female mating competition and intrasexual aggression have only begun to receive serious attention in recent decades. Here, we focus on one aspect of sexually selected competition in girls and women-rival derogation, which takes the form of indirect aggression. We argue that this tactic of intrasexual competition both reduces a rival’s ability to compete for desirable mates and helps aggressors achieve and maintain their own high social status. We further argue that physical attractiveness initiates the pathway leading to high social status, which is preserved through the use of indirect aggression and is associated with increased dating and sexual behavior.

Authors

Vaillancourt T; Krems JA

Book title

Development of Relational Aggression

Pagination

pp. 111-126

Publication Date

January 1, 2018

DOI

10.1093/oso/9780190491826.003.0008
View published work (Non-McMaster Users)

Contact the Experts team