Women’s Intrasexual Competitiveness and Jealousy Across the Ovulatory Cycle: A Hormone-Based Study

Abstract

Research on social status competition among women suggests that underlying hormonal shifts associated with the ovulatory cycle systematically drive alterations in preferences and behavior. Specifically, it is proposed that the fertile window, marked by heightened estradiol and lower progesterone levels, is related to increased psychological motivation for intrasexual social comparison, leading to increasing competitiveness and jealousy. In this pre-registered, longitudinal study, 257 women provided saliva samples for hormone assays, rated the attractiveness of other women, and self-reported intrasexual competitiveness and jealousy across four testing sessions. Multilevel analyses revealed no compelling evidence for (hormone-related) cycle shifts in intrasexual competitiveness, attractiveness ratings, or jealousy. Rather, women higher in intrasexual competitiveness seem to rate other women as more attractive in general. We discuss how our results contribute to a growing body of literature suggesting that women’s social attitudes and preferences are more stable and less hormonally influenced than previously assumed.

When fertile, women seek status via prestige but not dominance

“…In recent years, large-scale replications using longitudinal methodology and impressive analytic techniques have cast doubt on the replicability of ovulatory shifts in a range of variables, including some aspects of mating competition ( 52 – 55 ). In contrast to previous supportive literature, these studies converge to suggest that fertility does not increase self-report rivalry toward intrasexual competitors, derogation of rivals via facial attractiveness ratings, or jealousy.…”

“…These studies have demonstrated that fertile women prefer luxury consumer goods that confer high status, are especially interested in maximizing their economic capital and winning economic games, and are quick to derogate female rivals ( 6 – 10 ) (cf refs. 52 – 55 ). Scholars propose that periovulatory psychological and behavioral shifts facilitate adaptive goals by providing advantages in mate competition ( 56 , 57 ).…”

Possible Influence of Psychological Distance to Women’s Intrasexual Mating Competition

“…In addition to these correlational studies, there have been several natural experiments, such as those pertaining to the activational effects of hormones. Generally, women score higher on intrasexual competition measures at the mid-point of their menstrual cycle when they are most fertile relative to other points in their cycle (Fiacco et al, 2019;Nikiforidis et al, 2017;Piccoli et al, 2013;Stern et al, 2022). Among men, those who win sporting competitions experience increased testosterone, resulting in higher self-perceived mate value, heightened sociosexuality, and greater likelihood of engaging in behaviors to attract mates (Longman et al, 2018).…”

Psychophysical measurements during the priming of intrasexual competition.

“…One has focused on using trait measures to correlate with behaviors that could be considered competitive, such as cosmetic surgery (Arnocky & Piché, 2014) and gossip (Davis et al, 2019). These trait measures also have been used to examine changes across mating situations, such as the menstrual cycle (Fiacco et al, 2019; Stern et al, 2023).…”