Avid sports fans shiver through snowstorms and broil under the hot sun to cheer on their teams. Such dedication is great for the athletes, but how does it affect the people in the stands?
"When individuals identify and form a strong connection with a local team, it is related to psychological health," says Daniel L. Wann, PhD, associate professor of psychology at Murray State University in Kentucky and co-author of a new book about sport-fan psychology. "The more they identify with the team, the higher their
self-esteem
, the higher their vigor or energy, the lower their fatigue, confusion, depression and alienation."
"Chicago Cubs fans go to Wrigley Field to have a good time, feel that camaraderie and sense of belonging. Whatever the Cubs do is a side issue," says Dr. Wann of the long-beleaguered Cubs. "The beauty of it is that it doesn't matter how good the team is, you get the effects anyway."
Edward Hirt, PhD, associate professor of psychology at Indiana University, feels that sports provide many avenues for meeting the human need to belong.
"People can go to games together, they watch broadcasts together, talk and commiserate on the radio or through email or play fantasy sports together," he explains.
Dr. Hirt studied fans of Big Ten basketball and found that those with an allegiance to a particular team felt better about their own abilities and sex appeal when their team won. After a loss, fans were far more pessimistic about their chances of making a free throw, completing word games and snagging a date.
"To the extent people identify with the team and it's an important aspect of their sense of themselves, when the team does well fans treat it like they themselves did well," says Dr. Hirt.
Post-game moods tend to be quite predictable. During the euphoria of a win, fans share in the glory, give high-fives to each other, and when referring to the game say, "We won." When not victorious, fans deflect the blame, saying, "They lost."
But the sense of bonding remains as fans commiserate and share memories of big plays with fellow fans they meet in the parking lot or at the deli counter. Those who feel a strong connection with the team tend to feel
angry
, upset or depressed.
"For a day or two, it puts you kind of down in the dumps," says Dr. Wann, "but within a short time, the vast majority bounce back."
Dedicated supporters are proud of their allegiance, but sometimes team spirit can be carried too far.
"If you're all gung-ho for your team and anything goes in terms of people who are your rivals, that's when violence can happen," explains Dr. Hirt.
The vast majority of fans take games in stride, but for a small number, spectating may not be a healthy pastime. Dr. Hirt suspects some team worshippers could benefit from gaining the perspective that it's only a game. Sports can become disruptive to interpersonal relationships and, for some fans, an excuse to act violently.
For example, riots by fans after a team wins have plagued U.S. cities, as well as European soccer venues.
Georgia State University professor James Dabbs, PhD, found an association between fans' testosterone levels and the success of the team. Dr. Dabbs tested pre- and post-game testosterone levels of men watching the televised 1994 World Cup Soccer games. Testosterone levels increased 27.6% in fans supporting the victorious Brazilian team and dropped 26.7% in disheartened Italian fans.
Athletes experience a similar fluctuation: testosterone rises in winners and drops in losers.
"You see the game and think about playing the game," Dr. Dabbs says. "For people it's not that much different being a fan and competing."
He says more research is needed to determine if a link exists between hormonal changes and aggressive, riotous behavior.
"More people are sport fans than engage in any other voluntary activity," says Dr. Wann. "At least 75% of US society, and a similar number across the ponds, are at least moderate sports fans."
What makes someone forge an allegiance to a group of people they often have never met? Most often geographic location plays a role in the attachment, as does a family history of rooting for a specific team. Alumni frequently stay committed to their college team. Winning, while a factor, is not as important as some would think. Bonding is the main attraction.
