Benenson Joyce F, Markovits Henry, Fitzgerald Caitlin, Geoffroy Diana, Flemming Julianne, Kahlenberg Sonya M, Wrangham Richard W
Department of Psychology, Emmanuel College, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
Psychol Sci. 2009 Feb;20(2):184-90. doi: 10.1111/j.1467-9280.2009.02269.x. Epub 2009 Jan 2.
Three studies were conducted to examine the often-cited conclusion that human females are more sociable than males. Using perceptions of roommates, roommate changes at three collegiate institutions, and an experimental manipulation of friendship beliefs, the studies demonstrated unequivocally that males exhibit a higher threshold of tolerance for genetically unrelated same-sex individuals than females do. Tolerance was defined as acceptance of the stresses and strains within relationships. Results are discussed in terms of potential underlying mechanisms and ultimate explanations.
