It has always made me wonder why we watch sporting events with such zeal. Sure, there are many people out there that couldn't care less who wins games on a weekly basis or who has been traded to what team, but the fact is, a lot of people watch sports so frequently that it has literally created a business out of sports broadcasting agencies like ESPN and CBS Sports.
Evolutionarily speaking, it makes little sense why we care so much for athletes. Ultimately, the athletes that we watch on TV play little to no roles in our personal lives, so why care? They don't know who we are, so why should we care about them?
Ultimately, I realize that sports are all about entertainment value. We cheer for the underdog not because we care about their ultimate fate, but because we care about the little man triumphing over the oppressive spirit. In some way we are always able to relate to the underdog.
In Jesse Bering's article he discusses the importance of sports in terms of evolutionary terms. He states that we care about the athletes who clearly showcase their most evolutionarily important attributes—strength, intelligence, endurance, speed and litheness.
This makes some evolutionary sense. We admire those who possess the most skill to advance their genetic material. So, to play to the stereotype, guys watch sports because they appreciate the Darwinian values that athletes possess.
The concept is somewhat frustrating, but it makes sense. Sporting events allow us to cheer for those who clearly exemplify what it means to be "evolutionarily fit". Perhaps it's a case of evolutionary jealously...
For someone who grew up addicted to sports this article posed an interesting question. I think the Darwinian values is a very good point and realistic answer. I would watch out of loyalty, amazement, and pure joy. By choosing a favorite player/team then one can live vicariously through something that is greater than themselves AND which one can't realistically ever be a part of. And in truth, sports are pure entertainment. Good article.
ReplyDeleteI think it also has something to do with a team representing your home town, and thus you root for your own to beat the 'others'. This has evolutionary significance as well. It is like a slightly removed version of prehistoric tribal wars, except we don't have the threat of dying, yet it has all the same excitement of the battle and the emotional rewards of victory.
ReplyDeleteIt is a culture experience and it gives people something in common. Regardless of your background, your sex, your skin color or your career, when you talk about the Lakers, for example, or sit next to someone at the game, you guys are best friends during that time. It is a sense of community and common ground
ReplyDeleteThe idea of watching sports and rooting on your favorite team gives me a sense of an adrenaline rush. For me, basketball and soccer have been sports that I've grown up with. Ever since I could remember, when there was a Laker's game on, we were going to watch no matter what. I would remember the times when my dad would furiously yell at the television screen for a missed shot or a foul. Like Elizabeth mentioned in her comment, sports help bring people together regardless of their race, background, and sex. It is a language that is universal.
ReplyDeleteI definitely agree with Jesse Bering's idea that many people watch sports because of the traits that the athletes demonstrate. With a modern society that is driven by people's mental capabilities, I think watching sports is somewhat of a throw back to the more basic instincts of human nature. Something about watching physical specimens show off their athletic prowess on the field seems to evoke the more primal instincts within us - which is something that doesn't seem to happen much in this day and age. So maybe sports is our outlet to exercise this neglected side of human nature.
ReplyDeleteI must admit, I've never considered the psychology of watching sports, I simply just enjoyed the show. You made some interesting points by including Jesse Bering's article and thought process regarding athletes' from an evolutionary perspective. At the end of the day, we do idolized these athletes for their above average physical abilities and the fact that they are good at what they do. Some fans take watching sports to a whole new level by owning everything and anything that is affiliated with their favorite athlete or team. I find this to be excessive because 1) they dont know who you are or even exist 2) even if they know who you are, they definitely wouldn't wear anything to idolize you, unless you are a sponsor and pay them large sums of money. Growing up, my parents were against me buying jerseys or products with professional athletes names on them because they wanted me to be my favorite athlete.
ReplyDelete