The Evolution of Competition

Human competition is, at least partially, responsible for some of the transcended achievements of the species (walking on the moon, the polio vaccine, etc.), but the forces unleashed by competition have also led to profound human suffering (warfare, domination of one group by another group, etc.). In this article, the authors approach competition from an evolutionary perspective, applying Darwin’s theories of natural and sexual selection to understand better the nature of human competition. From the perspective of evolutionary psychology, humans engage in competition to gain resources, including status, food, and mating opportunities. Males tend to engage in more overt and aggressive forms of competition than females, but both sexes desire access to material and cultural goods associated with reproductive fitness. In the last roughly seventy years, the nature of men’s competition has transformed dramatically leading to declines in both within and between-group violence. As developed societies have succeeded in suppressing more overt and destructive forms of male–male competition, men attempt to gain status through occupational success, cognitive sophistication, moral signaling, and other relatively nonviolent behaviors. In this sense, men’s and women’s competition is more similar than it was a century ago. However, women’s competition is still less visible and relies on more indirect mechanisms (e.g., spreading gossip, subtle use of body language). For this reason, female–female competition has attracted less study than male–male competition. Fortunately, in the last decade, psychologists have partially redressed this imbalance.

Competitive scenarios increase competition in women: A meta-analysis

There is no question that competition is part of life, but until recently researchers have not investigated women’s competition. A meta-analysis of 14 published effects with 61 effect sizes (N = 2,100) assessed the size of the effect of women’s competition. Since few studies have comprehensively assessed female intrasexual competition, competition groups were defined broadly to include many studies as possible. Results from the random effects meta-analysis indicated that women responded more competitively when shown high competition scenarios, r = 0.23, p < 0.001, 95% CI [.16, .31]. Additionally, age, area of competition, and confidence in effect size coding did not moderate the effects of competition. Results suggest that there are small to medium-sized increases in women’s competition when primed with competition, but more studies are needed to fully understand women’s competition across domains.

Identification of Factors Determining Winning in Men’s and Women’s Beach Volleyball: a Logistical Regression Approach

The purpose of this study was to find the factors responsible for winning in the men’s and women’s beach volleyball championship. Materials and methods. The study sample consisted of a total of 212 matches for men and 214 matches for women of the 2017 & 2019 FIVB Men and Women Beach Volleyball World Championships held at Vienna & Hamburg from 28 July to 6 Aug 2017 and 28 June to 7 July 2019. The matches were played by 192 teams (both men and women combined) consisting of 384 numbers (both men and women combined) of players from different nations. The data were analyzed using Binary Logistic Regression (Forward: LR Method) with the result of the game as the dependent variable and predictor variables as covariates. β, standard error β, Wald’s χ2, odds ratio with 95% confidence interval were calculated. Model evaluation was conducted using the likelihood ratio test, Cox & Snell (R2), and Nagelkerke (R2) tests. The goodness of fit test for the models was conducted using the Hosmer & Lemeshow test. Results. The analysis revealed seven factors related to winning in men’s and women’s competition. While in league rounds, six factors in men’s and seven factors in women’s competition were related to winning. Besides, in knockout rounds, four factors in men’s and six factors in women’s competition were related to winning. Conclusion. The study shows that there is a significant association of important factors with respect to winning a match in an elite beach volleyball championship. The coaches and players can take note of the important factors responsible for winning in the elite beach volleyball championship, with different factors playing an important role in men’s and women’s competition during league and knockout rounds as well.

Coordinated condemnation in women's intrasexual competition

Here, we identify a novel reason why women are often criticized and condemned for (allegedly) sexually permissive behavior, such as their choice of dress. Combining principles from coordinated condemnation and sexual economics theory, we developed a model of competition that accounts for women’s competition in the absence of mating-relevant advantages. We hypothesized and found that women collectively condemn other women who appear to be sexually permissive. Study 1 (N = 712) demonstrated that women perceive a rival more negatively when she is showing cleavage, and these negative perceptions are ultimately driven by the inference that “provocatively” dressed women are more likely to have one-night stands. Study 2 (N = 341) demonstrated that women criticize and condemn provocatively dressed women, even when they are not direct sexual rival (e.g., her boyfriend’s sister). Our findings suggest that more research is needed to fully understand women’s intrasexual competition in the absence of mating-relevant cues.

Pilihan Hidup Tokoh Utama Zarah Amala dalam Novel "Supernova Episode: Partikel" Karya Dee Lestari: Kajian Feminisme Liberal

This research raises the topic of liberal feminism Zarah Amala, the main character in the Supernova Episode: Partikel by Dee Lestari. The purpose of this research is to describe the liberal feminist attitude of the main character and at the same time describe the impact of the life choice of the main character on the main additional character. This research is a type of library research. The discussion of liberal feminism studies uses the theory developed by Wolf (1997), namely the Feminism of Power and the theory of figures and characterizations. Zarah practices liberal feminism in the form of Power Feminism, among others: (1) observing power against women, (2) firmness in choice, (3) desire that women are not destitute, (4) tolerant, (5) women's competition, and (6) ) have strong confidence. The figures affected by the liberal feminism idea adopted by Zarah were a group of main additional figures: (1) Firas: Zarah gives loyalty so that her father does not feel alone; (2) Aisyah: Zarah made Aisyah feel depressed because of the quarrel they were maintaining; (3) Abah Hamid: Zarah is no longer considered a grandchild because of her very different views; (4) Hara: Zarah has a stake in the character of her mature and stoic sister; (5) Ibu Inga: Zarah becomes a foster mother of an orangutan. (6) Paul: Zarah makes Paul fall in love; (7) Simon: Zarah makes Simon busier than usual; (8) Koso: Zarah becomes a loyal friend; and (9) Storm: Zarah gives her virginity to Storm.

The Red Zinger/Coors Classic Bicycle Race: Commemorations and Re-Cycled Narratives

The Red Zinger Bicycle Classic, later renamed the Coors International Bicycle Classic, is renowned for its influence on the development of men’s and women’s cycle racing in the United States. Recent efforts to create a United States Cycling Monument in Boulder, Colorado, centered on commemorating what is commonly referred to as the Coors Classic. I use the proposed monument as a starting point for exploring how the Coors Classic is being remembered, particularly with respect to the women’s competition. Where do women cyclists and their contests fit into the commemoration of this race? My analysis illuminates gendered aspects of this race and what I refer to as re-cycled narratives. I conclude with a concern about the impact of re-cycled narratives on present-day women’s cycling and consider historian Beverly Southgate’s call for thinking about histories for the future.