Strategy in games and folk tales

Journal of Social Psychology • Vol/Iss. 61 • Published In • Pages: 185-199 •
By Roberts, John M., Sutton-Smith, Brian, Kendon, Adam

Abstract

This study investigates the strategic mode of competition in both games of strategy and folk talkes. Various significant relationships between games of strategy, folktales, social complexity, and child rearing variables are observed.

Samples

Sample Used Coded Data Comment
Ethnographic Atlas (EA)

Hypotheses (5)

HypothesisSupported
"The strategic mode of competition as modeled in games of strategy is associated with societal complexity on the one hand and with obedience training on the other" (189)Supported
"Societies possessing games of strategy tend to have folk tales in which the outcome is determined or partly determined by strategy" (193)Supported
"The strategic mode of competition tends to be modeled in the folk tales of tribes which are politically complex" (193)Supported
"There is a relationship between strategic outcomes in [folk] tales and reward for obedience" (193)Supported
"If the strategic mode of competition bears a relationship to obedience training there should be an emphasis on obedience themes in the tales themselves" (194)Supported
Documents and Hypotheses Filed By: mas  Megan Farrer