Do human females use indirect aggression as an intrasexual competition strategy?

Bibliographic Collection: 
APE
Publication Type: Journal Article
Authors: Vaillancourt, Tracy
Year of Publication: 2013
Journal: Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci
Volume: 368
Issue: 1631
Pagination: 20130080
Date Published: 2013
Publication Language: eng
ISSN: 1471-2970
Keywords: Body Image, Competitive Behavior, Female, Humans, Male, Sexual Behavior, Women
Abstract:

Indirect aggression includes behaviours such as criticizing a competitor's appearance, spreading rumours about a person's sexual behaviour and social exclusion. Human females have a particular proclivity for using indirect aggression, which is typically directed at other females, especially attractive and sexually available females, in the context of intrasexual competition for mates. Indirect aggression is an effective intrasexual competition strategy. It is associated with a diminished willingness to compete on the part of victims and with greater dating and sexual behaviour among those who perpetrate the aggression.

DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2013.0080
Alternate Journal: Philos. Trans. R. Soc. Lond., B, Biol. Sci.