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Cooperation Improves Success during Intergroup Competition: An Analysis Using Data from Professional Soccer
Gwendolyn Kim David1, Robbie Stuart Wilson1
1School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia.
Plos One
|August 28, 2015
Summary
Cooperation among non-relatives, especially in competitive settings like soccer, enhances group success. Increased networking behavior within teams boosts shooting proficiency, a key factor in winning matches.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary biology
- Behavioral ecology
- Sports science
Background:
- Cooperation among non-relatives is crucial for group success, particularly during intergroup competition.
- Previous research suggests cooperation evolved due to mutual benefits, but empirical tests in real-world scenarios are limited.
- Key cooperative strategies include networking, increased effort, and division of labor.
Purpose of the Study:
- To empirically test the link between cooperative behaviors and group success in competitive contexts.
- To investigate the relative importance of different cooperation forms (networking, effort, labor division) in achieving victory.
- To examine how competition and tournament type influence cooperation and task proficiency, specifically shooting accuracy in soccer.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of data from 12 international and professional soccer competitions.
- Quantification of cooperative behaviors, including networking, effort, and division of labor.
- Statistical assessment of the relationship between cooperation, shooting proficiency, and match outcomes.
Main Results:
- Winning teams exhibited higher shooting proficiency and, unexpectedly, fewer networking partners and less division of labor.
- Greater networking behavior within teams correlated with increased shooting proficiency.
- Competition and tournament type significantly influenced cooperation levels and shooting accuracy.
Conclusions:
- Empirical evidence supports the hypothesis that intergroup competition favors cooperation among non-relatives.
- Networking behavior is a critical factor that enhances task proficiency (shooting) and contributes to group success in competitive environments.
- The study highlights the nuanced role of different cooperation strategies, with networking proving vital for success in soccer.
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