Sex differences in costly signaling in rural Western China

Costly rituals convey commitment to communities and advertise trustworthiness cooperativeness peers, which might explain why humans perform costly religious rituals. Here, we compare the efficacy of occasional public displays versus regular but less acts for prestige enhancement. We collected data on behaviors ranging from daily low-cost practices infrequent high-cost pilgrimages distant locations among residents an agricultural Tibetan village, as well their reputational standings. find that are mediated by demographic factors such wealth, age gender. Women more activities, men engage in pilgrimages. Participation increases perception all prosocial characteristics. In contrast, positively associated with nominations devoutness not other qualities. Devoutness is sometimes negatively qualities, suggesting religiosity be only about signaling prosociality.