Gender differences in resistance to temptation: Theories and evidence

Abstract

Three theories (psychoanalytic, parental investment, and differential socialization) make predictions regarding gender differences in the ability to resist temptation. These predictions were tested in a series of meta-analyses conducted on 114 effect sizes derived from 98 studies reporting on gender differences in the ability to inhibit an externally prohibited response. Overall, females showed more restraint than males, but the effect size was very small ( r=.03). Further analyses were conducted for each of several types of tasks. On one task, called the forbidden-object task, gender differences were appreciable, with effect sizes ranging from r=.11 to .20, again indicating a female advantage. On two other tasks, both of which involved cheating, gender differences were generally very small, with effect sizes ranging from −.03 to .06. None of the theories under consideration can account for the differences in results by task. Discussion focuses on evolutionary-based explanations for the differences in results by task. Further avenues for research are also noted.