Slay the dragon: trash talk from an evolutionary perspective

Abstract

While the intensity and purpose of trash talk varies, it is essentially a form of dehumanization. This idea begs the question, which types of dehumanization are most common in sports? Do men and women rely on the same types of dehumanization? How does the level of competition affect this? What about how violent the sport is? How do one’s perceived odds of winning impact this? Lastly, does the social nature of a sport alter this relationship? This study aims to answer these questions.