The Underdog Syndrome
Almost everyone cheers for the underdog, but why? Turns out it may be to maximize our pleasure and psychological gain when watching sports events.
Sign up for Big Think on Substack
The most surprising and impactful new stories delivered to your inbox every week, for free.
Almost everyone cheers for the underdog, but why? Turns out it may be to maximize our pleasure and psychological gain when watching sports events. “If you’re pulling for the favorite, then a loss cuts extra deep, while a victory merely delivers what you thought you deserved. ‘Thus a utilitarian model would indeed predict the underdog effect,’ the authors observe.”
Sign up for Big Think on Substack
The most surprising and impactful new stories delivered to your inbox every week, for free.