Are males more aggressive than females? Answer with reference to the
strengths and weaknesses of the existing empirical evidence.
INTRODUCTION:
Human aggression is any behaviour directed toward another individual that is
carried out with the immediate intent to cause harm. In addition, the perpetrator
must believe that the behaviour will harm the target, and that the target is
motivated to avoid the behaviour (Bushman & Anderson 2001). This essay will
discuss the differences between males and females in aggression, provide
evidence for points made and critically evaluate them, and offer explanations as
to why the differences arise.
MAIN 1:
There is general consensus that males are more violent than females. Evidence
for this comes from various sources.
Hindelang et al.'s (1979) literature review revealed that self-reported
criminal behaviour by males was almost two times higher than self-reported
criminal behaviour by females. When comparing the rates of serious
criminal behaviour, Hindelang et al. found that males were four times more
likely to engage in a serious criminal offense than females. A similar pattern of
results has been garnered from victimization surveys and official records
(Steffensmeier and Allan, 1996). In addition, Buss and Perry (1992) used the
“Aggression Questionnaire” that measured Physical Aggression, Verbal
Aggression, Anger, and Hostility on a normative sample. The results revealed
that males scored slightly higher on Verbal Aggression and Hostility and much
higher on Physical Aggression that females.
Fox and Fridel (2017) employ a national homicide database (the FBI's
Supplementary Homicide Reports, SHR) from 1976 through 2015 to examine
gender differences among victims and offenders. The analysis showed that
males are far more likely to be both perpetrators and victims of homicide. For
the past four decades, nearly three-fourths of all homicides have exclusively
involved men. About 90% of all perpetrators are male. Stated in terms of rates
per 100,000 population, males commit murder about 10 times as often as
females, and are victims nearly four times as often.
Evers et al (2005) used the hot sauce paradigm to study the sex differences in
anger expression. Participants have the opportunity to express their anger
toward someone by choosing the amount of hot sauce that this latter person
will be asked to consume. Anger expression was inferred from the amount of
hot sauce given to the person who induced anger (social condition- expected to
meet this person: nonsocial condition- no such expectation). Men and women
did not differ in their reports of experienced anger but did differ in their
expression of anger. By comparison with women, men allocated more hot
sauce to the person who had angered them. This effect was moderated by the
strengths and weaknesses of the existing empirical evidence.
INTRODUCTION:
Human aggression is any behaviour directed toward another individual that is
carried out with the immediate intent to cause harm. In addition, the perpetrator
must believe that the behaviour will harm the target, and that the target is
motivated to avoid the behaviour (Bushman & Anderson 2001). This essay will
discuss the differences between males and females in aggression, provide
evidence for points made and critically evaluate them, and offer explanations as
to why the differences arise.
MAIN 1:
There is general consensus that males are more violent than females. Evidence
for this comes from various sources.
Hindelang et al.'s (1979) literature review revealed that self-reported
criminal behaviour by males was almost two times higher than self-reported
criminal behaviour by females. When comparing the rates of serious
criminal behaviour, Hindelang et al. found that males were four times more
likely to engage in a serious criminal offense than females. A similar pattern of
results has been garnered from victimization surveys and official records
(Steffensmeier and Allan, 1996). In addition, Buss and Perry (1992) used the
“Aggression Questionnaire” that measured Physical Aggression, Verbal
Aggression, Anger, and Hostility on a normative sample. The results revealed
that males scored slightly higher on Verbal Aggression and Hostility and much
higher on Physical Aggression that females.
Fox and Fridel (2017) employ a national homicide database (the FBI's
Supplementary Homicide Reports, SHR) from 1976 through 2015 to examine
gender differences among victims and offenders. The analysis showed that
males are far more likely to be both perpetrators and victims of homicide. For
the past four decades, nearly three-fourths of all homicides have exclusively
involved men. About 90% of all perpetrators are male. Stated in terms of rates
per 100,000 population, males commit murder about 10 times as often as
females, and are victims nearly four times as often.
Evers et al (2005) used the hot sauce paradigm to study the sex differences in
anger expression. Participants have the opportunity to express their anger
toward someone by choosing the amount of hot sauce that this latter person
will be asked to consume. Anger expression was inferred from the amount of
hot sauce given to the person who induced anger (social condition- expected to
meet this person: nonsocial condition- no such expectation). Men and women
did not differ in their reports of experienced anger but did differ in their
expression of anger. By comparison with women, men allocated more hot
sauce to the person who had angered them. This effect was moderated by the
