Sex differences and personality correlates of spontaneously generated reasons to give gifts

Abstract

In an act-nomination (N = 15) and an act-frequency study (N = 235), we attempted to assess spontaneously generated reasons for gift-giving and how these reasons differed across the sexes and as a function of individual differences. Primarily, both sexes gave gifts for special occasions and to build or maintain interpersonal relationships. However, men were more likely than women were to want to build and maintain one particular type of interpersonal relationship, that being romantic/sexual relationships. Men were more likely than women were to give gifts to escalate relationships to sex/dating and as a materetention tactic. Of all the personality traits examined, it was agreeableness that was correlated with the most reasons to give gifts. Moderation by the sex of the participant suggests that men who are low on extraversion and self-esteem may use gifts to do the "talking" for them. ©2012 Journal of Social, Evolutionary, and Cultural Psychology.