This Is Your Brain on Sports

Why do we root for the underdog, value effort over results, or push ourselves beyond limits during adversity? Sports don't just thrill us; they mirror the depths of our human psychology.

1. The Underdog Effect: Why We Cheer for the Weak

People instinctively root for underdogs because they symbolize hope and resilience. This tendency stems from our natural empathy and the universal appeal of triumphing against the odds. It’s a reminder of our own battles in life.

When participants in a study were shown two different maps of Israel and Palestine implying different power dynamics, their support shifted. If Israel appeared outnumbered, participants sympathized with them; otherwise, they rooted for Palestine. This showed how perceptions of weakness influence support.

Underdogs aren't just popular; they make the game personal. People relate their life's struggles to the underdog's journey and feel uplifted when they prevail. This notion isn't unique to sports; it's seen in movies, stories, and our self-narratives.

Examples

• A University of South Florida experiment revealed underdog support fluctuated with territorial representations.
• Fans fiercely defend teams that consistently lose because these teams represent perseverance.
• People frame their personal stories as "underdog tales" to garner empathy and boost connection.

2. Love for Attractive Leaders

Leadership and attractiveness often go hand in hand in sports. Psychological biases, like the halo effect, make us perceive successful or attractive individuals as better leaders—even when their leadership skills are unrelated.

Coaches tend to pick quarterbacks or team leaders based on subtle physical traits like stature or facial appeal, believing these signify leadership qualities. This bias can sway the focus on certain players during training.

In life and sports, effort justification shows how we value things we’ve invested time and energy into. A manager may keep a lackluster athlete on the team simply because of the resources spent training them, regardless of actual output.

Examples

• A University of Toronto psychologist found appearance strongly influences how we gauge leadership potential.
• Coaches heavily train players who appear "leader-like" based on physical traits like broad shoulders.
• People value do-it-yourself Ikea furniture more than ready-made ones due to effort invested—a concept mirrored in sports.

3. Experts Often Make Poor Coaches

Expert athletes struggle to teach others because they can't relate to beginners' challenges. This is the "curse of the expert": being so skilled that teaching becomes difficult.

Michael Jordan, as one of history's best basketball players, failed as a team president and part-player for the Washington Wizards. His natural skills made his expectations unrealistic, and he lacked patience for mentoring. Ego exacerbates the problem—successful athletes often prioritize their achievements over others' growth.

Interestingly, Hall of Fame players often don’t become great managers. Conversely, less successful athletes have excelled as coaches because they can better empathize with and guide struggling players.

Examples

• Michael Jordan clashed with teammates during his infamous role as both a player and team executive.
• Hall of Fame baseball managers often had modest playing careers but excelled at inspiring and teaching.
• Floyd Mayweather perpetuates his "underdog" narrative to keep himself motivated, showing how ego shapes elite performers.

4. Impulses Can Lead to Glory or Disaster

Impulses are both weapon and weakness in sports. Quick decisions can win games but also cause regrettable mistakes when emotions take over. Brain scans reveal that in a "hot" state of heightened emotion, rational thinking diminishes.

Zinedine Zidane's infamous headbutt in the 2006 World Cup resulted from emotion overriding logic. Such moments are products of an emotional brain center called the anterior cingulate cortex dominating higher thought.

However, rivals often push players to extremes of excellence. Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova’s long rivalry raised the quality of play. Such rivalries in sports and business drive innovation.

Examples

• Zidane’s headbutt in 2006 and Mike Tyson biting Holyfield’s ear highlight emotional missteps.
• Tennis rivalries like Williams vs. Sharapova elevated both athletes’ performance levels.
• PET scans show emotional "hot" states compromise logical decision-making under stress.

5. Action Isn’t Always the Answer

People often take action just to feel like they’re solving a problem, especially in the wake of failure. This "action bias" often manifests in sports when coaches are fired after a losing streak.

Simply changing a coach seldom delivers quick results; building relationships and understanding problems takes time. Instead, rewarding effort alongside achievement can improve long-term commitment and growth.

Rewards shape motivation—players honored only for victories might lose heart, but appreciating progress encourages resilience and continual growth.

Examples

• Owners frequently fire coaches during slumps to appease fans, often without lasting improvement.
• Research into Ivy League students shows how individuals link themselves to success for recognition.
• Positive reinforcement of effort over outcomes boosts morale and fosters loyalty.

6. Sports Showcase the Power of Rivalry

Healthy competition enhances performance. Rivals challenge each other to push beyond perceived limits, creating better results for teams, players, or even companies.

Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova capitalized on their rivalry to raise their standard of play. Business teams can mimic this dynamic, sparking innovations when competing in their markets.

Sports reveal that rivalry doesn’t have to be negative; it can be a mutual motivator that fuels higher achievements.

Examples

• Rivalries like Ronaldo vs. Messi generate extraordinary energy and focus for fans and players alike.
• Corporate rivalries like Apple vs. Microsoft spur groundbreaking technology progress.
• Athletes consistently perform better against their most challenging opponents than in routine games.

7. Coming Back from Defeat Inspires Everyone

We connect emotionally to stories of redemption and recovery. These narratives inspire us to continue striving, even after hardship.

Michael Jordan’s Flu Game reflects the incredible mental fortitude sports demand. Despite severe illness, Jordan overcame physical barriers to deliver a historic NBA Finals win.

Similarly, Brett Favre turned his crushing loss—his father’s death—into a legendary performance the next day. Moments like this remind us of human resilience in the face of pain.

Examples

• Jordan scored 38 points in the 1997 NBA Finals game while battling flu symptoms.
• Favre played his career's best game one day after his father passed away.
• Marathon runners push past exhaustion by focusing on finish lines, mirroring mental resolve.

8. Goals Guide Us to Push Harder

Clear goals make extraordinary achievements possible. With a clear objective in mind, athletes can push themselves to extreme levels of performance.

This remarkable capacity was evident in Michael Jordan’s Flu Game, where the goal of victory compelled him to summon his last reserves of energy despite being sick.

Sports teach us to set small, measurable targets and strive toward them. Focus on incremental achievements mirrors athletic training and competitive mindset.

Examples

• Marathon training breaks goals into smaller miles to avoid burnout.
• Businesses aiming for quarterly success mirror athletes aiming for games or tournaments.
• Athletes focus on singular milestones during tough competitions to maintain momentum.

9. Sports Enhance Emotional Strength

Sports teach coping strategies that extend beyond the field. Whether it's using grief as motivation or channeling failure into growth, sports make emotional resilience accessible.

Brett Favre’s spectacular game after his father’s death exemplifies converting sadness into strength. This emotional mastery benefits everyone, not just athletes.

These lessons translate to everyday challenges, enabling us to reflect on hardships and bounce back more determined.

Examples

• Favre’s emotional gameplay after personal tragedy highlights sports as therapy.
• Witnessing athletes persevere after injuries inspires fans to overcome their difficulties.
• Athletes often use personal setbacks as fuel to train harder and perform better.

Takeaways

1. Praise effort, not just results, to foster continual growth and resilience in teams at work and in life.
2. Set clear, attainable short-term goals to maintain focus and avoid burnout while chasing success.
3. Use challenges and failures as opportunities for reflection and renewed determination, mimicking strategies from sports psychology.