Sport Fans Have to be Negative??? (Michigan v. OSU rivalry)

Submitted by ken725 on

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2009-11/osu-dbh111609.php

Came across an interesting study that is to be published in the Journal of Communication this month. The researcher came to the conclusion that sports fans enjoy games where teams struggles along the way.

I found this quote to be rather odd.

You don't want to be in a great mood during the whole game if you really want to enjoy it," said Silvia Knobloch-Westerwick, co-author of the study and associate professor of communication at Ohio State University.

I agree that if your team makes a huge comeback the game might be more fulfilling. I don't know what Silvia is thinking, but I would like to be in a great mood the entire game. Although the win against ND was thrilling this year, I would have been just as happy with us just crushing them.

Maybe this is OSU way of telling us that when we blow them out it wont be that enjoyable. I on the other hand think the contrary.

BlackEvanDown

December 4th, 2009 at 8:01 AM ^

I'm not sure how much stock I would put into this. The participant pool could be large, but the time of study, i.e. one game, will skew the data depending on how exciting the game is.

His two separate studies (one of the amazing 06 UM v OSU game, and the other of a decently played Super Bowl) really should be combined into one and spread out over the course of multiple games.

Additionally, results of fans of a team should be compared against each other in at least 4 separate game situations: big win, close win, close loss, big loss and results of the questions need to be better compared during the course of the game. I guarantee you that a fan base will not be happy if their team is losing by 20 points if they expect to win.

Honestly, I think this study, from a social science scope and method point of view, is very poorly done and should be reconsidered in the light of the sheer fickleness that a fanbase can present on any given day.

ebbtide

December 4th, 2009 at 9:26 AM ^

I mean, what was more exciting? 2008 vs Wisc or 2009 vs Baby Seal U? I watched with intent games against Purdue, MSU and Indiana this year, and even though the outcome sucked the experience was enjoyable because the hours during the game provided fear and excitement. I went to EMU and had a good time but there was never any suspense.

Ernis

December 4th, 2009 at 9:30 AM ^

I see how a game can be more fulfilling when it is a challenge.

That said, my cardiovascular system much appreciates maintaining a close lead and finishing strong, thank you very much. And I had a great time at DSU this year.

Also, Bray Bray has an excellent point. OSU fans are ingrained with a corrosive attitude regarding sports so it makes sense that this prof. came to this conclusion (if her sample consisted largely of OSU fans, then even more so).

BaggyPantsDevil

December 4th, 2009 at 10:06 AM ^

to tell us that games that provide drama and excitement are ultimately more enjoyable then games that provide neither? The whole point of sports is that the outcome is in question. Winning doesn't mean a whole lot unless there was a very real chance of losing.

I know we all love statistics and the scientific method and things that are quantifiable but this should be obvious. I also like food that's delicious more than food that tastes terrible. I don't need a study to tell me that one either.