Beth Benoit wrote: > > The section I'm considering using is the claim that Canadian ice > hockey players are more likely to be born in the first few months of > the calendar year. I'll probably follow the same method as > above, breaking students into groups to examine the roster I'll hand > out, then giving them Gladwell's explanation. > .... > I'd also be interested in thoughts from our Canadian brethren about > the concept of early birthdates being helpful to hockey success. > Stephen, Chris?
Funny, I had just heard this claim over Christmas from a relative of mine. She said that something like half of NHLers are born in the first three or four months of the year. But for all I know, she got this from the Gladwell book (which I haven't read). The general claim makes some sense to me. When kids are young, the size and coordination differences between those born in January and those born in December can be quite noticeable. I'd be a little surprised, however, if this continued on into the elite levels as strongly as is claimed for three reasons: (1) Many professional hockey players are mostly huge compared to the rest of us, and so they were probably never small compared to their classes, even if they were a few months younger then average. (2) It is not the case that once you're the best in your class you always remain that way. For instance, I was just talking to friends whose 14-yr-old daughter has been very good a volleyball until now. She was also taller than most of her classmates, but this year she her growth has slowed while many of her classmates have caught up or passed her, so she is quite suddenly not as dominant as she has been up to now. By the time one reaches elite levels of sport, I would expect that much of the early advantage would be neutralized. (3) At elite levels of a sport, sheer physical talent is an important factor. Most of we ordinary mortals could not compete with them even if we practiced as many hours a day as they do. Canada goes against Sweden for the world junior championship tonight! Go Canucks! Chris -- Christopher D. Green Department of Psychology York University Toronto, ON M3J 1P3 Canada 416-736-2100 ex. 66164 [email protected] http://www.yorku.ca/christo/ ========================== --- To make changes to your subscription contact: Bill Southerly ([email protected])
