Males outperform females in translating social relations into spatial positions

Research indicates that human males interact in groups, whereas females form one-on-one relationships. Whereas females excel in understanding intimate verbally-mediated social information, we hypothesized that males would be more sensitive to the spatial positions of friends within a group. In Study 1, we demonstrate that after a very brief exposure, compared to females, males more accurately recalled the spatial positions of individuals who were friendly with one another when their relative positions mirrored their friendship structures. In Study 2, we demonstrate that females were as accurate as males in reconstituting the positions of individuals who were not friends with one another. In Study 3, we demonstrate that the male advantage remains when indirect cues to positive group relations are used. These results support the idea that the group-based social structure of males renders them more sensitive than females to the use of relational information in reconstituting the short-term spatial locations of group members.     

Sex Differences in Neonates' Cuddliness

The authors undertook the present study to determine whether under ecologically valid, low-stress conditions, female and male neonates could be differentiated on cuddliness. Sixteen female and 15 male neonates were videotaped interacting briefly with both a female and a male adult who were blind to the sex of the neonate. Raters coded degree of cuddliness and activity level. Results showed that raters could discriminate the sex of the neonate on the basis of degree of cuddliness. Discussion focuses on the importance of theoretical and methodological considerations in assessing sex differences in behavioral characteristics of neonates.     

Sexual behavior and drug abuse in homosexuals,prostitutes and prisoners in Tijuana,Mexico

Results are presented of a sociodemographic and epidemiologic survey conducted between July-October 1988 in Tijuana, Mexico, among 3 subgroups believed to be at high risk of HIV infection. 383 female and 32 male prostitutes recruited at the Municipal Medical Services clinic in Tijuana, 376 male and 34 female prisoners recruited ate the State Penitentiary, 233 male homosexuals and bisexuals recruited in bars and other meeting places, and 11 drug addicts treated at a detoxification program were successfully interviewed. Although only 11 iv drug addicts were located and agreed to participate, 5 prostitutes, 85 prisoners, and 5 homosexual/bisexual reported histories of iv drug use. The homosexual/bisexual group was relatively younger and better educated,and had higher incomes than the other groups. The average age was 25.6 for homosexual/bisexuals, 29.5 for prostitutes, and 29 for prisoners. 82.7% of homosexual/bisexuals, 46.3% of prostitutes, and 44.4% of prisoners were single. Among prostitutes and prisoners, respectively, 6.5 and 25.9% were married and 22.2 and 18/5% were in consensual unions. The average number of years of schooling were 10.3 for homosexual/bisexuals, 5.6 for prostitutes, and 6.3 for prisoners. Male prostitutes reported the highest average number of sexual partners in the past year (261 +or- 341), prisoners reported the greatest frequency of iv drug users as sexual partners, and homosexual/bisexuals reported the highest frequency of receptive anal intercourse. 35% of respondents reported a history of sexually transmitted diseases. 36% of female prostitutes and 4% of prisoners reported using condoms regularly during vaginal intercourse. 25% of homosexual/bisexuals reported using condom regularly during anal intercourse. 31% of respondents reported having been tested previously for HIV antibodies,but only 41% of those knew the results. 72 homosexual/bisexuals, 56 prostitutes, and 126 prisoners reported having had sexual relations in the US. 80% of respondents reported consuming alcohol, 64% cigarettes, and 28% illegal drugs. The most frequently used illegal drug was marijuana. 68% of the 106 identified iv drug users continued to use drugs. The rest reported having used them since 1978. The introduction of HIV into these subpopulations has been slow but steady. Infection rates in this sample were .5% for prostitutes, 1.2% for prisoners, 11.6% for homosexual/bisexuals, and 1.9% for the 106 iv drug users.     

Gender Differences in Emotional Closeness Between Preschool Children and Their Mothers

The emotional closeness between mothers andtheir children was examined to determine if motherdaughter pairs exhibit closer emotional relationshipsthan mother son pairs. Forty-one mother childpredominantly Caucasian dyads were videotaped during asemistructured play setting. The children were 4 (10males and 10 females) and 5 years of age (10 males and11 females). Emotional closeness was defined as physical proximity, mutual eye contact, and global levelof enjoyment. Results demonstrated that compared toboys, girls were physically closer to their mothers,engaged in more mutual eye contact with their mothers, and were rated higher on global enjoyment.Results are consistent with Chodorow's theory thatgender identity development is related to the emotionalrelationships that develop between children and their mothers.     

Women and Natural Hierarchy in Aristotle

In this paper, I examine the frame of reference in Aristotle's Politics within which he makes claims about women and their place in his conception of politics.     

Explaining sex differences in infants' preferences for groups

Social organization of a species influences myriad facets of individuals’ behavior. Much research indicates that human social organization consists of males in large groups and females in smaller groups or interacting with individuals. This study analyzed the initial factors that produce greater preferences for groups by human male versus female infants. To this end, using a looking preference paradigm, fifty-nine 6–8-month-old infants viewed individual versus group images of actual children. On the basis of several controls, results demonstrated that male more than female infants are attracted to the complex level of stimulation provided by groups. Discussion centers on further identifying male versus female patterns of group interaction from a perceptual and cognitive standpoint.     

Under threat of social exclusion, females exclude more than males

Theoretical analyses and studies with children suggest that females are more likely than males to respond to threats of social exclusion with exclusion. Here we present a series of studies using a modified version of a computerized competitive game that participants play against two fictitious opponents. In previous studies, females and males have typically made identical strategy choices when playing this game. We show that when players are told that the two fictitious opponents may form an exclusionary alliance against them, females modify their competitive strategies by forming more preventive exclusionary alliances than males do. These results support the idea that adult females are more likely than males to form preventive exclusionary alliances when faced with a social threat. The results further suggest that females and males compete in different ways.