PSYCHOLOGY AND SOCIOLOGY OF THE SPORTS FAN

Psychology and sociology of the sports fan

Psychology and sociology of the sports fan

A gap exists in the current literature on identity formation with regard to sports. The current sociology of sport literature does not adequately address the creation of fan identity. Social science research on sport fans focuses largely on the effects of fandom, for example, the violence and aggression, which may result from being a fan. Little is known, however, about the process of becoming a fan. This therefore raises a compelling question, how does individuals form sport fan identities? More specifically, this review examines the issues and theoretical concepts surrounding the ways in which individuals develop and maintain fan identities. An examination of identity formation among sport fans is beneficial in that it unites two previously unrelated literature bases, namely identity formation and sport sociology. Furthermore, this application will stretch the bounds of identity theory by testing its limits, which should account for a more comprehensive theory.

A fan identity, as with any group identity, is beneficial to the individual in that it may provide a sense of community. Zillmann, Bryant and Sapolsky (1989) highlight other benefits of fandom, including the development of diverse interests, the minimal skill level necessary for participation, and the low cost. They also note that fandom brings activities, such as football, to more sectors of society, including the very young, the very old, the ill, and those who simply lack the necessary athletic ability required for participation. Fandom allows individuals to be a part of the game without requiring any special skills (Branscombe & Wann, 1991a). In addition, fandom offers such social benefits as feelings of camaraderie, community and solidarity, as well as enhanced social prestige and self-esteem (Zillmann et al.). Sports fandom further affects individual personal development by helping people learn to cope with emotions and feelings of disappointment (Branscombe & Wann, 1991a). “It appears that sports fanship can unite and provide feelings of belongingness that are beneficial to individuals and to the social setting in which they live” (Zillmann et al., p. 251). However, sport fans have not generally been portrayed positively, especially in social science research. This is especially true of males, who are often stigmatized because of their fandom (Gantz & Wenner, 1995). Fans are criticized for their apparent lack of physical fitness as well as for being passive or lazy (Zillmann et al.), to the high levels of violence among fans, including, but not limited to hooliganism and riotous victory celebrations (Kutcher, 1983; Levy, 1989; Gantz and Wenner, 1995). Debates on the benefits of fandom are ongoing, however research has failed to completely address the questions as to why and how someone initially becomes a fan.

Within social psychology, there are two dominant theory of identity - identity theory (Stryker, 1977; Burke, 1980) and social identity theory (Tajfel 1970; Tajfel and Turner, 1979). Identity theory is a direct derivation of McCall and Simmons (1978) role-identity theory, which suggests that individuals will base ...