Variability among Males in Sexually Selected Attributes

Abstract

Greater male than female variability is found in behavioral and morphological traits in animals. A theory that greater male variability is associated with variability in parental investment is described and contrasted with sexual strategies theory, which posits no sex differences in variability. Predictions from the theories were tested through meta-analyses of variance ratios for data sets involving sexually selected characteristics (physical aggression and 5 aspects of mate choice) and 2 unlikely to have resulted from sexual selection (anger and self-esteem). Variation was significantly greater among men than women in 5 of the 6 former data sets and was similar for men and women in the latter 2 data sets, broadly supporting the predictions. A further analysis extends the theory to intellectual abilities.