Men’s Expectations for Postconflict Reconciliation with Physically Strong Opponents

Physical conflict has been historically prevalent throughout human evolution, with physically strong men possessing an advantage. To reduce the likelihood of incurring continued costs of conflict, opponents may engage in postconflict reconciliation to secure valuable social relationships. Two studies considered how formidability of male combatants informs expectations of reconciliatory behavior. In Study 1, participants reported expectations of respect exchanges between combatants, both following wins and losses, who were physically strong and weak. Study 2 tasked men with reporting their expectations for respect exchanges with strong and weak opponents following wins and losses. Strong targets were consistently expected to receive more respect following conflict. Nonetheless, male perceivers intended to display more respect against strong opponents regardless of fight outcome. Men’s upper body strength provides an important cue in shaping alliances for men, particularly when the potential costs of continued conflict are salient.