sports
Psychology of fandom: Local fans have perspective
- Updated: November 9, 2011 - 6:53 AM
Minnesotans who jump on and off the bandwagon have a good perspective about sports, a University of Minnesota sociology professor says.
- 0
- comments
resize text 
- buy reprints
University of Minnesota sociology professor Douglas Hartmann sees something else when he sees empty seats: "Minnesotans having a good perspective about sports."
"It is, 'If they're winning, that's great, we want to be a part of it. If not, we'll do something else,'" Hartmann said. "It reflects a certain, almost enlightened perspective on sports. We don't have to let it drag us down if it's not going well."
In fact, Hartmann wonders if that perspective is one reason why the Vikings' quest for a new stadium has been so difficult.
John Tauer, an associate professor of psychology at University of St. Thomas, played basketball for the Tommies. He is now the interim coach of the men's basketball team and studies sports psychology. He knows fans can take sports way too seriously.
Sports, Tauer said, meet our competitive needs, gives some people the feeling of being a part of something bigger than themselves. He can cite studies of how applications skyrocket when a college team has big-time unexpected success.
"People want to associate with winners," Tauer said. "It makes us feel good about ourselves. At some level, being a fan, it is connected to a basic need of feeling good."
KENT YOUNGBLOOD
- 0
- comments
- resize text
- buy reprints
explore star tribune sports
ADVERTISEMENT
| Seattle - LP: F. Hernandez | 0 | FINAL |
| Cleveland - WP: J. Masterson | 6 |
| Toronto | 0 | Postponed |
| NY Yankees | 0 |
| Arizona - LP: W. Miley | 1 | FINAL |
| Miami - WP: R. Nolasco | 2 |
| Cincinnati - LP: A. Chapman | 2 | FINAL |
| Philadelphia - WP: A. Bastardo | 3 |
| Houston - LP: L. Harrell | 0 | FINAL |
| Pittsburgh - WP: J. Locke | 1 |
| Los Angeles | 2 | Top 6th Inning |
| Atlanta | 1 |
| Tampa Bay - WP: M. Moore | 3 | FINAL |
| Baltimore - LP: C. Tillman | 1 |
| Boston | 3 | Delayed |
| Minnesota | 1 |
| Milwaukee - LP: K. Lohse | 2 | FINAL |
| St. Louis - WP: J. Gast | 4 |
| NY Mets | 4 | Top 8th Inning |
| Chicago Cubs | 3 |
| Chicago WSox | 0 | Bottom 4th Inning |
| LA Angels | 3 |
| Kansas City | 1 | Top 4th Inning |
| Oakland | 0 |
| Washington | 0 | Top 3rd Inning |
| San Diego | 3 |
| San Francisco | 0 | Top 3rd Inning |
| Colorado | 1 |
| Detroit - D. Fister | 7:05 PM |
| Texas - D. Holland |
| Memphis | 39 | 3rd Qtr 9:17 |
| San Antonio | 56 |
| Los Angeles | 0 | FINAL |
| Red Bull New York | 1 |
| Sporting Kansas City | 4:00 PM |
| D.C. |
| Real Salt Lake | 9:30 PM |
| Chivas USA |
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
- Hartman: Vikings defensive line can walk after season
- Lynx center McCarville is a Wisconsin farm girl first
- Saunders starts checking items off Wolves' to-do list
- Twins: Trying to keep a lousy homestand from getting any worse
- Hartman: Webb shifts from QB to full-time receiver for Vikings
- Reusse: Staples pride runs deep for in-demand NBA assistant
- Chart: NBA draft lottery info
- Bud Grant enters Legacy fray, says Dayton would veto House bill
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
inside the StarTribune
-
425 Portland Av. S.
Minneapolis, MN 55488
(612) 673-4000
- Company
- Subscriber Services
- Website
- Buy Ads
- Store
- Connect with Us
© 2013 StarTribune. All rights reserved.
StarTribune.com is powered by Limelight Networks
Newspaper Subscriptions
eEdition
RSS
Newsletters