Moscow University
Anthropology
Bulletin
Anthropology
Bulletin
1) Institute of Ethnology and Anthropology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Leninsky pr-t, 32A, Moscow, 119334, Russia; 2) Lomonosov Moscow State University, , Lomonosvsky pr-t, 27/4, Moscow, 119192Russia; 3) National Research University Higher School of Economics, Myasnitskaya 20, Moscow, 101000, Russia
Rostovtseva Victoria V., Researcher, victoria.v.rostovtseva@gmail.com; Mezentseva Anna A., Researcher, khatsenkova@yandex.ru; Butovskaya Marina L., DSci., professor; ORCID ID: 0000-0002-5528-0519; marina.butovskaya@gmail.com.
Introduction. This paper is dedicated to investigation of biosocial mechanisms of human cooperative behavior. It is known, that cooperation is more characteristic to men, than women, with certain evolutionary reasons. One of such reasons is male-specific participation in warship and territory defense, which requires both cooperative skills, and involves aggressive behavior. The goals of present study are: (1) estimation of prenatal androgenization impact on emergence of individual differences in cooperativeness; (2) assessment of social factors impacts (the effects of megapolis and ethnical homogeneity of social environment) on cooperative and aggressive behavior; (3) estimation of association between cooperative behavior and aggressiveness in young men. Materials and methods. Current paper integrates results of two independent experimental studies held in (1) Moscow: participants Russians (N=50) and Buryats (N=51) – mean age 25 ± 3 y.; (2) in Ulan-Ude (Buryatia): participants exclusively Buryats (N=99) – mean age 20 ± 2 y. Propensity for cooperation was measured in economic game (Prisoner’s Dilemma), conducted between strangers, playing “face-to-face”, with no verbal communication. Aggressive traits were measured through self-reported personality test (Buss, Perry, 1992). Prenatal androgenization was estimated trough digits ratio (2D:4D). Digit’s lengths were measured directly with electronic caliper with precision of 0.01 mm. Results. Positive association between 2D:4D and individual cooperativeness, as well as negative association of attractiveness for cooperation with anger and hostility were revealed only for young men with high 2D:4D (moderating effect of prenatal androgenization). It was demonstrated that in megapolis (Moscow) individual cooperativeness was increased, and aggressiveness (physical aggression, hostility) was reduced. Hostility was negatively correlated with duration of residence in Moscow (trend). Direct association between cooperativeness and aggressiveness was not detected. Discussions. Results demonstrate that biological and social factors play important role in regulation of male cooperative behavior. Obtained results are consistent with current scientific evidence in the field of evolutionary research.
cooperation; aggression; Prisoner’s Dilemma; 2D:4D; digit ratio; Buryats; globalization
DOI: 10.32521/2074-8132.2019.3.042-054
Цит.: Rostovtseva V.V., Mezentseva A.A., Butovskaya M.L. Cooperative behavior and aggression in young men: impact of prenatal androgenization and social environment // Moscow University Anthropology Bulletin (Vestnik Moskovskogo Universiteta. Seria XXIII. Antropologia), 2019; 3/2019; с. 42-54
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