Abstract
It is documented that fetal exposure to sexual hormones has long lasting effects on human behavior. The second-to-fourth digit ratio (DR) is a putative marker for prenatal exposure to testosterone (compared to estrogens) while in uterus, with higher relative exposure to testosterone resulting in a lower DR. Although the existing literature documents the correlation of DR with various decisions, and testosterone has been related to competitive behaviors, little research has studied the effect of DR on competition in conflict situations where skills do not matter. We investigate this question in the laboratory. Based on a previously obtained large sample of student subjects, we selectively invite subjects to the laboratory if their right-hand DR is in the top (High type) or bottom (Low type) tercile for their gender. Unbeknownst to the subjects, we perform a controlled match of High and Low types as opponents in a 2-person Tullock contest. We find that Low type (higher exposure to testosterone) males expend significantly higher conflict effort than High type males, that is, they are more aggressive, which reduces their opponents’ earnings. Among females, however, everyone is more aggressive against the High type (who respond less aggressively). These results can partially be explained through high joy of winning and/or spitefulness for Low type males, and high spitefulness for Low type females. This investigation sheds light on the importance of biological aspects in the ex-ante determinants of conflict, and on contest design.
Highlights
Competition and conflict are closely related aspects of human life
We find that L digit ratio (DR)-type males expend significantly higher conflict effort than their H type counterparts
In the continuation the variables referring to the case of a H type playing against another H type are denoted as HH and those referring to of a L type against a L type are denoted as LL
Summary
Competition and conflict are closely related aspects of human life. Many competitive scenarios offer opportunities to “one-up” or deliberately harm a rival – often leading to the expenditure of resources with substantial opportunity cost, as well as escalation through retribution. To better understand how excessive expenditure of resources can arise in these contexts, and how such conflict dynamically affects people’s behavior in competition, it is important to understand what leads some people to behave more aggressively than others. Heterogeneity of conflictive behavior has various causes, including those commonly classed as nurture (e.g., upbringing, social norms, and stereotypes) or situational factors (e.g., socio-economic conditions, mental and physiological state). Some part of it may be determined by nature: some people are born more conflictive than others. We focus on this ex-ante biological aspect
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