Sex differences in interpersonal conflict

Abstract

An experiment is described that compares and contrasts male and female behavior in response to various forms of threats that previous research had indicated elicited different perceptual and behavioral reactions. A fairly complex decision-making internation simulation game was employed in a computer-controlled laboratory. The results indicate that deterrent threats are somewhat more likely to result in compliance than are compellent threats. Further, there were no gross differences between male and female response patterns. It was found, however, that males are somewhat more likely to comply to a threat. But, of the noncompliers males are more likely to behave aggressively and attack the other. Evidence is presented that indicates that females respond to an emotion-evoking hostile situation by passively resisting or withdrawing. © 1972, The Psychonomic Society, Inc.. All rights reserved.