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Increased aggression during human group contests when competitive ability is more similar.
Gert Stulp1, Tobias Kordsmeyer, Abraham P Buunk
1Department of Psychology, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands. gertstulp@gmail.com
Biology Letters
|August 17, 2012
Summary
Conflicts escalate more when groups have similar resource-holding potential (RHP). This study found increased fouls in football and basketball when teams had closer competitive abilities, supporting this RHP similarity hypothesis in group conflicts.
Area of Science:
- Behavioral Ecology
- Social Psychology
- Sports Science
Background:
- Theoretical and empirical studies show conflict escalation increases with similar resource-holding potential (RHP) in individuals.
- Group conflicts are common, but whether RHP similarity influences their escalation remains unexplored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if group conflicts escalate more when groups possess similar RHP.
- To test the RHP similarity hypothesis in human group conflicts within professional sports.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from professional football (Bundesliga) and basketball (NBA) competitions.
- Defined RHP based on team league ranks, reflecting competitive ability.
- Measured conflict escalation by the number of fouls committed during matches.
Main Results:
- A significant increase in fouls was observed when the RHP difference between competing teams was smaller.
- This pattern held true for both football and basketball competitions.
- The findings indicate a correlation between RHP similarity and conflict escalation in group settings.
Conclusions:
- Provides the first evidence that group conflicts escalate more with greater RHP similarity.
- Extends the understanding of conflict dynamics from individual to group levels.
- Highlights the role of competitive balance in sports as a factor influencing aggressive behavior.
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