Physical strength predicts political violence

Research has revealed an association between individual physical strength and attitudinal support for modern war. Physical of one infinitesimal effect on the outcomes state-level aggression involving large-scale armies complex military technology. The fact that stronger individuals do such hints at evolved psychology specialized small-scale coalitional aggression, where coalition members non-negligibly contribute to net strength. Here, I examined whether also accounts participation in political as contrasted mere support. Given contemporary primarily occurs within—not between—states, focused intra-state forms violence, specifically violent antigovernment protests. To enhance external ecological validity, relied large probability samples from both non-WEIRD WEIRD countries experiencing violence ( N = 6283; interviewees were quota-sampled YouGov online panels generate representative adult populations). Multinational analyses self-perceived significantly predicts intentions participate self-reported participation, this is among young interviewees, but not men (compared women). predictive power was modest comparable gender, established predictor aggression. discuss why strength—a physiological variable—relates violence—a phenomenon—is remarkable. Subsequently, suggest a new research agenda draws insights evolutionary study violence.