In terms of popularity, what hobby compares to being a sports fan?

The stronger the identification with the team, typically the stronger emotional reaction to the losses. So the higher the highs, and the lower the lows.

In reality, fans don’t have any impact on the outcome of the game or athletic performance on the field. Just because the team has lost, doesn’t mean you’re a loser as well.

When you’re among 60,000 of your closest friends, your accountability diminishes. It’s very different than if you’re at a bar with 10 people.

If other fans communicated when something isn’t appropriate that would curb the behavior. Many fans don’t want to get involved.

When you’re exposed to aggressive stimuli like you are in football, you’re more prone to act in an aggressive manner. At that point we’ve got aggressiveness on the front of our minds.

Fans are relatively resilient in coping with loss. If we weren’t, there would be no Cubs fans.