As of 2023, about 70% of Americans watch live sports, and about 57% watch them weekly. Ball sports, track and field, wrestling sports, esports – the form has its own fan base. Although fans are equally engaged and loyal, studies show that sports enthusiasts may associate with it for other reasons.
A 2022 study found that the three most sensible motivations for sports enthusiasts are a preference for a sense of community, entertainment, and national or regional patriotism.
However, mental studies show that watching sports can have much deeper motivations, beyond a simple sense of network and fun. Psychologists Edward Hirt and Joshua Clarkson, prolific scholars of the psychology of motivation and consumerism, conducted a study describing other motivations for fandom and sports. fanship. Here are a few.
For some, the good looks of the game lies in the artistic skill of the athletes. They appreciate the grace, precision, and physical prowess that come with games like figure skating, diving, and soccer. Hirt and Clarkson point out that the aesthetics of the game itself can be a compelling explanation for why the interest exists.
Think of a perfectly executed gymnastics routine, a clinical but charming crossover between players in a football game, or Michael Jordan’s dunks from the free-throw line. Moments like those in the game leave us in awe of the skill, grace, and athleticism displayed through the players and teams.
Like listening to a classical symphony, contemplating a Renaissance oil painting or watching ballet: sports are fundamentally artistic. Some experience the same awe when watching sports as others do when listening to music or walking through an art gallery.
Sport may offer an escape from reality, but for some it’s deeper. Researchers explain that watching or playing sports can temporarily help other people with their problems, decrease anxiety, and feel a sense of relief.
In the hustle and stress of our lives, many use multimedia content to distract themselves from their problems. While some will opt for a book, movie, or podcast, for many, a sports game allows for the same cathartic release.
While watching their favorite NFL or Premier League game, enthusiasts can momentarily lose themselves on the field, relieving the gray, monotonous emotions left over from their day.
While cheering on their team and interrupting their opponents, they enjoy a moment of catharsis. It’s not just about swearing allegiance to your team; It is also a release from all pent-up frustration, a moment of relief and escape from your worries.
For other people, play is a way to build self-esteem and confidence. According to Hirt and Clarkson, watching and participating in games can help other people identify with athletes’ accomplishments. Success in gaming, even as a skilled and committed amateur, can a person’s self-esteem?
Researchers claim that individuals’ desires for self-esteem can be satisfied directly or indirectly: through their own achievements or those of others. The latter is called BIRGing: enjoying the reflected glory. This is what sports fandom allows.
When a fan’s favorite sports team succeeds, the fan feels an accomplishment. That’s why we use our teams’ products the day after a win, or why we use non-public pronouns when we talk about our teams. It’s never “They beat the Raiders, 26-14. ” It’s still “We beat the Raiders, 26-14. “
This attachment to a winning team can lead enthusiasts to feel more confident and positive about themselves, which contributes to higher self-esteem. The team’s achievements are strongly connected to the fan’s own identity, reinforcing the concept that when the team wins, the fan wins too.
For enthusiasts, the game isn’t just about kicking balls or scoring goals. To them, the game is an epic example of storytelling, with compelling narratives, stunning comebacks, underdog stories, and rivalries. These artistic stories lead gaming enthusiasts to revel in deep emotions. and intellectuals that allow them to escape the truth and rediscover their self-worth. So, for those who haven’t delved into the gaming world yet, here’s your invitation to embark on a captivating adventure of good fortune and human resilience. An opportunity to revel in the thrill of shared victories and the convenience of a network that transcends borders.
Is your relentless interest in professional sports due to the worry of missing out?Take the FOMO scale to be more informed.
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