Sharing of science is most likely among male scientists

Sharing of science is most likely among male scientists. Jorg J. M. Massen, Lisa Bauer, Benjamin Spurny, Thomas Bugnyar & Mariska E. Kret. Scientific Reports 7, Article number: 12927 (2017), doi:10.1038/s41598-017-13491-0

Abstract: Humans are considered to be highly prosocial, especially in comparison to other species. However, most tests of prosociality are conducted in highly artificial settings among anonymous participants. To gain a better understanding of how human hyper-cooperation may have evolved, we tested humans’ willingness to share in one of the most competitive fields of our current society: academia. Researchers were generally prosocial with 80% sharing a PDF of one of their latest papers, and almost 60% willing to send us their data. Intriguingly, prosociality was most prominent from male to male, and less likely among all other sex-combinations. This pattern suggests the presence of male-exclusive networks in science, and may be based on an evolutionary history promoting strong male bonds.