Coalitional Play Fighting and the Evolution of Coalitional Intergroup Aggression

Human Nature • Vol/Iss. 29(3) • Springer US • • Published In • Pages: 219-244 •
By Sugiyama, Michelle Scalise, Mendoza, Marcela, White, Frances, Sugiyama, Lawrence

Abstract

Researchers examined and coded motor skills used in coalitional play fighting in hunter-gatherer societies to investigate if it was a product of agriculture/industry, or occurred more broadly in non-agricultural populations. Sampling 100 societies from the Ethnographic Atlas, researchers found at least one predictor of such motor patterns showing coalitional play fighting amongst all hunter gatherer groups with information, and multiple predictors among most of the 46 groups. Researchers theorize this coalitional play fighting was training for intergroup aggression such as lethal raids.

Note

No statistical analyses were performed; limited to hunter-gatherer groups.

Samples

Sample Used Coded Data Comment
Ethnographic Atlas (EA)Researcher's Own

Hypotheses (1)

HypothesisSupported
Motor skill patterns (striking, parrying, catching, kicking, throwing, grappling, dodging, and running) in team games will be present cross-culturally in a significant number of hunter-gatherer groups (226).Supported
Documents and Hypotheses Filed By: noah.rossen  milagro.escobar  abbe.mccarter  anj.droe