Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 20, 2026

Assessing Differences in Sperm Competitive Ability in Drosophila
Published on: August 22, 2013
Sex differences in in-group cooperation vary dynamically with competitive conditions and outcomes
Drew H Bailey1, Benjamin Winegard, Jon Oxford
1Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, USA. dhbd45@mail.missouri.edu
Abstract:
Men's but not women's investment in a public goods game varied dynamically with the presence or absence of a perceived out-group. Three hundred fifty-four (167 male) young adults participated in multiple iterations of a public goods game under intergroup and individual competition conditions. Participants received feedback about whether their investments in the group were sufficient to earn a bonus to be shared among all in-group members. Results for the first trial confirm previous research in which men's but not women's investments were higher when there was a competing out-group. We extended these findings by showing that men's investment in the in-group varied dynamically by condition depending on the outcome of the previous trial: In the group condition, men, but not women, decreased spending following a win (i.e., earning an in-group bonus). In the individual condition, men, but not women, increased spending following a win. We hypothesize that these patterns reflect a male bias to calibrate their level of in-group investment such that they sacrifice only what is necessary for their group to successfully compete against a rival group.
Related Concept Videos
Impact of Groups on Groups
In- and Out-Groups
Competition
Relationship Formation
Robbers Cave
Relationship Growth
