Playing Sport as an Adaptive Behaviour

Research has been carried out to study the actions of the players in a team. From an evolutionary point of view, it is easy to see why men want to aspire in these sports: 1) earn high wages 2) gain access to resources 3) status 4) women

Maxwell and Viscek

Maxwell and Viscek Maxwell and Viscek (2009) Used 144 Union rugby players were questioned about their use of aggression in the game. The researchers also took account of a number of other factors including professionalism. Players high in professionalism placed more emphasis on winning the game than on playing fair and displaying skill. The players most likely to use unsanctioned aggression were those who scored high on professionalism. Evolutionary theory supports the concept of cheating as adaptive. Teams who learn to deploy illegal moves without getting caught will ultimately win and achieve status.

Quiz How many rugby players were questioned 2. Why might playing sport be adadptive 3. What is a critisicm of Maxwell & Viscek 144 High wages, status, resources, women Self- reported so may be subjective