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Sep 28, 2009 11:01 pm US/Central
Good Question: Why Do We Live Through Sports Teams?
(WCCO)
The day after the Minnesota Vikings dramatic, last-second victory over the San Francisco 49ers, fans are still celebrating, talking about "our win." But we didn't really help the team. Why do we feel like we win when our teams win?
"I think a big part of it is with sports we identify with our teams, so they become projections of ourselves or of our communities," said Doug Hartmann, Associate Professor of Sociology at the University of Minnesota.
"Sports provide a common language, a common set of experiences, across the diversity that is American culture," said Hartmann.
Researchers have identified physical reactions when fans watch their teams lose; they also see reactions when teams win, especially in dramatic fashion.
"What's interesting is it's not just the fanatic. Even the casual fan gets into that moment," said Hartmann.
"Men tend to be more affected, as they identify more closely with the team... there's a tie between sports and masculinity," said Hartmann.
Psychologists talk about a concept called "BIRG": Basking In Reflective Glow.
"They play out on the stage for us our own aspirations and dreams, and we project those onto the team. When they're successful, it makes us feel like we're successful too," said Hartmann.
It's a phenomenon that exists all over the United States and around much of the world. In communities where there aren't professional sports teams, a college team typically fills that void, Hartmann explained.
"To build community you have to have some things to come together," he said, noting that community leaders are often looking for the things that bring people together.
It's one reason why communities build sports stadiums, in order to have those unifying bonds for a town.
"In Minnesota, we're very interested, if not obsessed, with our state and regional reputation and identity. In a game like yesterday, we identify even more" with the team, according to Hartmann, as that validates our existence as more than just "flyover land."
Researchers generally think that high levels of identification with a sports team is good, leading to lower levels of depression, higher self-esteem and lower levels of loneliness and stress.
"Put yesterday in context: the economy's bad, people have a lot things in their lives that are tough. Sports is an outlet," said Hartmann.
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