ARE WOMEN MORE COOPERATIVE THAN MEN IN SOCIAL DILEMMAS

Contradictory results regarding sex effects in social dilemmas have be en obtained, In some studies women have contributed more than men; in some studies men have contributed more than women; in some studies no sex differences have appeared. This paper attempts to reconcile these findings. We examine whether the participants' sex, the sex compositio n of the group, or the resources involved in the social dilemma lead t o sex differences in contributions. Two experiments were employed. Sub jects were blocked on sex and then were assigned randomly to different groups that varied in sex composition. Although the experiment examin ed repeated decisions, no interaction between group members was involv ed. Results showed that neither the sex of the group member nor the se x composition of the group had significant effects upon individuals' c ontributions to the group when money was the resource. When the resour ce changed, sex effects emerged; sex composition still had no effect, however.