Little is known about sex differences
in idiotic risk-taking behaviour. So researchers in north east England decided
to test "male idiot theory" (MIT) that many of the differences in
risk seeking behaviour may be explained by the observation that men are idiots
and idiots do stupid things.
They reviewed data on idiotic
behaviours demonstrated by winners of the Darwin Award over a 20 year period
(1995 to 2014), noting the sex of the winner. To qualify, nominees must improve
the gene pool by eliminating themselves from the human race using astonishingly
stupid methods.
Worthy candidates include a man
stealing a ride home by hitching a shopping trolley to the back of a train,
only to be dragged two miles to his death before the train was able to stop;
and the terrorist who posted a letter bomb with insufficient postage stamps and
who, on its return, unthinkingly opened his own letter.
Of the 413 Darwin Award nominations,
332 were independently verified and confirmed by the Darwin Awards Committee.
Of these, 14 were shared by male and female nominees -- usually overly
adventurous couples in compromising positions -- leaving 318 valid cases for
statistical testing.Of these 318 cases, 282 Darwin Awards
were awarded to males, and just 36 awards given to females. Males thus made up
88.7% of Darwin Award winners, and this sex difference is highly statistically
significant.
This finding is entirely consistent
with male idiot theory (MIT) and supports the hypothesis that men are idiots
and idiots do stupid things. However, this study has limitations, still it is
puzzling that males are willing to take such unnecessary risks -- simply as a
rite of passage, in pursuit of male social esteem, or solely in exchange for
"bragging rights," .
They believe male idiot theory
deserves further investigation, and, "with the festive season upon us, we
intend to follow up with observational field studies and an experimental study
-- males and females, with and without alcohol -- in a semi-naturalistic
Christmas party setting," they conclude.
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