Perceived aggressiveness predicts fighting performance in Mixed-Martial-Arts fighters

Citation

Trebicky V, Havlicek J, Roberts SC, Little A & Kleisner K (2013) Perceived aggressiveness predicts fighting performance in Mixed-Martial-Arts fighters. Psychological Science, 24 (9), pp. 1664-1672. https://doi.org/10.1177/0956797613477117

Abstract
Accurate assessment of competitive ability is a critical component of contest behavior in animals, and it could be just as important in human competition, particularly in human ancestral populations. Here, we tested the role that facial perception plays in this assessment by investigating the association between both perceived aggressiveness and perceived fighting ability in fighters' faces and their actual fighting success. Perceived aggressiveness was positively associated with the proportion of fights won, after we controlled for the effect of weight, which also independently predicted perceived aggression. In contrast, perception of fighting ability was confounded by weight, and an association between perceived fighting ability and actual fighting success was restricted to heavyweight fighters. Shape regressions revealed that aggressive-looking faces are generally wider and have a broader chin, more prominent eyebrows, and a larger nose than less aggressive-looking faces. Our results indicate that perception of aggressiveness and fighting ability might cue different aspects of success in male-male physical confrontation.

Keywords
fighting ability; aggressiveness; mixed martial arts; geometric morphometrics; competition; face; perception; aggressive behavior; face perception; facial features; evolutionary psychology

Journal
Psychological Science: Volume 24, Issue 9