Sex differences in 2D: 4D ratio, aggression and conflict resolution in African children and adolescents: a cross‐cultural study
| Pages | 17-31 |
| Published date | 29 January 2010 |
| Date | 29 January 2010 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.5042/jacpr.2010.0002 |
| Author | Marina Butovskaya,Valentina Burkova,Audax Mabulla |
| Subject Matter | Health & social care,Sociology |
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10.5042/jacpr.2010.0002
Sex differences in 2D:
4D ratio, aggression and
conflict resolution in African
children and adolescents:
a cross-cultural study
Marina L Butovskaya
Department of Cross-Cultural Psychology and Human Ethology, Institute of Ethnology and
Anthropology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
Valentina Burkova
Department of Cross-Cultural Psychology and Human Ethology, Institute of Ethnology and
Anthropology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
Audax Mabulla
Archaeology Unit, Department of History, University of Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania
ABS TR AC T
This study was conducted on children and adolescents from the three tribal cultures from
Northern Tanzania: the Hadza, the Datoga and the Iraqw. The comparative data on aggression
and conflict management skills were measured at Endomaga Boarding School, Lake Eyasi,
Mangola in Northern Tanzania, in 2005-2006. The final sample included 219 children, ranging
from 7 to 20 years of age. No sex differences were found in self-ratings or frequency of
occurrence of physical, verbal and indirect aggression in Iraqw children and adolescents, or
in self-ratings in Hadza. Hadza boys reported a higher occurrence of physical and indirect
aggression during the previous week compared to girls. No differences between the sexes
were found in constructive conflict resolution and third-party interventions practiced by
Iraqw and Datoga children and self-ratings in Hadza. Hadza boys reported a higher frequency
of constructive conflict resolution and third-party interventions compared to girls. Significant
sexual dimorphism on the 2D:4D ratio was found for our African sample. A significant
negative correlation between the right hand 2D:4D ratio and ratings on physical aggression
was found for the girls. The girls with the lowest finger index estimated themselves as more
verbally aggressive, compared to girls with a medium 2D:4D ratio.
KEY WOR DS
Gender (sex) differences; physical aggression; verbal aggression; indirect aggression;
constructive conflict resolution; third-party intervention; consolation; socialisation strategies;
2D:4D ratio.
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