Interpersonal Aggression among Aka Hunter-Gatherers of the Central African Republic Assessing the Effects of Sex, Strength, and Anger

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Hess, Nicole
Helfrecht, Courtney
Hagen, Edward
Sell, Aaron
Hewlett, Barry
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2010
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Sex differences in physical and indirect aggression have been found in many societies but, to our knowledge, have not been studied in a population of hunter-gatherers. Among Aka foragers of the Central African Republic we tested whether males physically aggressed more than females, and whether females indirectly aggressed more than males, as has been seen in other societies. We also tested predictions of an evolutionary theory of physical strength, anger, and physical aggression. We found a large male bias in physical aggression. Controlling for anger, we found an adult female bias in indirect aggression. Physical strength predicted anger, which predicted hitting, although results were sensitive to the inclusion or exclusion of traditional healers, who were physically and emotionally distinct from other Aka. With some important caveats, our results generally support the predicted sex differences in physical aggression and indirect aggression, and the predicted relationships among anger, strength, and aggression.

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Human Nature

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21

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3

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© 2010 Springer US. This is an electronic version of an article published in Human Nature, Volume 21, Issue 3, pp 330–354, 2010. Human Nature is available online at: http://link.springer.com/ with the open URL of your article.

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Ethology and Sociobiology

Psychology not elsewhere classified

Anthropology

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