Aggression toward out-groups is not limited to subordinate-group targets

Evidence

Using the logic of sexual selection theory, we can derive no principles as to why intergroup aggression should necessarily be restricted toward males of subordinate groups. Males of any group, regardless of the group’s dominant or subordinate status, should be motivated to dominate other groups, or at the very least should aggressively resist being dominated, as the potential for complete failure in reproductive fitness is so great. Despite this, dominant groups may be more likely to target subordinate out-groups when power asymmetries are large because it is less costly to do so, given the strategic advantage that power imbalances bestow on dominant groups (Tooby & Cosmides, 1988). — Roderick M. Kramer, Geoffrey J. Leonardelli, Robert W. Livingston, Social Cognition, Social Identity, and…, 1189

Categorization

Category: Contrarian or Surprising Claims

Related

• Male dominance motivation targets any group but acts mainly on subordinate out-groups (similarity 0.92)
• Intergroup aggression targets outgroup men while incorporating outgroup women (similarity 0.88)
• Males do not target outgroup females because females are contested resources, not competitors (similarity 0.87)
• Intergroup discrimination targets subordinate males more than subordinate females (similarity 0.86)
• Sexual selection makes men primary targets and agents of intergroup aggression. (similarity 0.86)
• Men’s out-group bias requires perceived fighting ability, not just dominance motives. (similarity 0.85)
• Evolution shaped male but not female psychologies for intergroup aggression (similarity 0.85)
• Selection shaped male-specific prejudice psychology but not female-specific intergroup aggression (similarity 0.84)
• Male intrasexual competition extrapolates to explain men’s role in intergroup conflict (similarity 0.82)
• Men express maximum out-group bias when dominance desire meets perceived formidability (similarity 0.82)
• Males treat females as contested resources rather than competitors (similarity 0.82)
• Male aggression is primary and explains competition, not vice versa. (similarity 0.81)
• Out-group bias expressions peak where dominance motives meet high self-assessed fighting ability. (similarity 0.81)
• Male-coalition violence against outgroups yields huge reproductive fitness payoffs even when deadly (similarity 0.81)
• Prejudice-as-favoritism is gender-neutral but aggression targets men specifically (similarity 0.80)