Explanations of group display in humans

Sport

Group displays help to determine dominance hierachies over ownership of territory and aim to intimidate other groups.

• War dances - intimidate and motivate. Supporter displays achieve the dame ends, for example the wearing of face paints and singing of club anthems. Such displays increase social infidelity.
• Territorial behaviour - group displays mark out and defend territories, such as team supporters congregating in traditional areas.
• Ritual behaviour - much of the aggression shown between sports fans is ritualistic; posturing and verbal abuse occurs but little actual violence, suggesting a symbolic show of strength to limit injuries
• Swarchz and Barkey (1977) found taht teams won more home…