A Tendency Toward Intrasexual Rivalry Mediates the Links between Unrestricted Sociosexuality and Aggression

In diverse species, aggression is often employed to access to mating opportunity. In 290 young adults, unrestricted sociosexuality predicted indirect aggression (women and men), and direct aggression (women). Intrasexual competitiveness mediated these links, suggesting short-term mating orientation compels intrasexual competitiveness, which motivates aggressive tactics to ostensibly satisfy short-term mating goals.