Sports Fanaticism and Sports Mania - Essay Example

Sports fanaticism Name: Institution: Introduction Fanaticism in sports, characterized by both enthusiasm and continuing devotion, is essentially a relatively rare thing (Wann, 2006). Countable individuals are capable of unrestricted love for something, much less a team of athletics. And for the people who describe themselves as fans, it is its own particular variety of love. In hockey, maybe in other sports also, fans talk of their team as a second family that they have never really met, although which remains family all the same. One may wonder what this team they attach themselves to. It is definitely not the players, who are traded regularly within the association and clubs. These days when every person has a passion for a team, behavior of spectators and their responses which lead to aggressiveness and violence are spoken about every time. This paper reviews the psychological and social reasons for sports with dimensions of fanaticism, aggressiveness and violence which generate disturbance. Psychological and social reasons for sports fanaticism Being a fan or supporter can be grounded on national, racial, religious, and environmental factors. Psychological and social factors play a big role as well. People behave in similar manners as the other affiliates of the players they support. When their team becomes victorious, they become happy; they turn out to be furious when their team loses (Wann, 2006). Amongst spectators, there are several categories that respond differently and act differently. Every member of the same category responds in the similar manner in the course of the match. The word fanatic has been in trend due to the increase of the concern in sports, and particularly football nowadays. Fanaticism for sports is not necessarily a mental illness (Wang, 2006). However, it can generate actions that can paralyze the brain, mental experts say. A simple sport like baseball can change the average spectator into an incorrigible person. Psychologists argue whether the intense affection sports spectators have for their players or teams has an undesirable impact on lifestyle and behavior (Wann, 2006). Psychologists say that choosing a team generally speaks a person’s identity. People are connected to sports chiefly as a means to fabricate their self-esteem. In a number of ways, individuals want to be linked with winners, for instance, the Yankees. Such teams appeal to those who value a sense of order. The social aspect of sports fanaticism is that favoring a certain team could be grounded in family history. Passion for a team can be handed down to the coming generation (Wann, 2006). A need to fit in the environment is a social reason why people love sports. Identifying powerfully with an outstanding local team where other spectators are in the environment is an advantage to social-psychological fitness. Just like there are various physical advantages of taking part in sports, there are several psychological advantages to watching sports. A person may build up a sense of friendship with the participants on a sports team. Though not as personal or intimate as being a component of a family network, watchers of sports have a sense of unity with and are very devoted to their teams. Several fans of sports that listen or watch a game over television or radio turn out to be very concerned in the game. Occasionally, they get themselves screaming at the television screen, while the rise in blood pressure takes place. The psychological benefit of sports watcher is by being able to get out of various pressing matters that may otherwise increase stress (Wang, 2006). Cheering for the loser has its advantages as well. To see the underdog team turn out victorious is very satisfying, and for a number of sports watchers, it makes them have a feeling of having played a part of the success. Examples of sports fanaticism There are various sports fanaticism in the world today. On the lead is fanaticism for football. Globally, many people are passionate about football. Hockey and Baseball also makes people to be sports fanatic. One example that illustrates sports fanaticism is the case of tiny city of Beaverton, Oregon where football is really loved. If someone happens to be in the incorrect tavern, rooting for the incorrect team, it is relatively possible that a number of locals will remind the person (basically in unpleasant terms) that the tavern belongs to the ducks, and not a beaver’s tavern. Evidently, in Oregon, it would bring some sense that there is competition between the spectators of the Oregon University Ducks and the Beavers of the Oregon State (Ford, 2008). Most frequently, a conflict between the fans of Beavers and the fans of Ducks would basically be a characteristic verbal dispute in which the fans of Duck would make negative comments regarding the Oregon State football team’s name and vice versa. Although, a number of conflicts may turn out to be violent particularly when there is involvement of alcohol (Ford, 2008). Networks are also encouraging sports fanaticism. This is seen in the case where The Colorado Sports Cast Network plays with the sports fanatics’ dreams. It is an online retreat for the people who live, breathe and dream sports. Ever since 2008, the Colorado Sports Cast Network has been offering services of team marketing to club sports and high school teams in the United States, from central town public schools to schools in the rural community and to uptown private clubs. The Colorado Sports Cast Network offers a chance for high schools and other curriculum to have their games aired over the internet with unrestricted digital advertising prospects. In Canada, the Canadians are providential in their fans. Not just the quantity of them, but the intensity of their investment and the extent of their memories (Ford, 2008). Even a good number of well cultivated spectators of any group are still mercurial in their feelings, and as in the coming life, to be cared for over duration of decades is to be in a situation of substantial inspection, and to bear much analysis. Maybe no spectators understand loyalty to an underdog team better than Chicago Cubs followers. The Cubs have not become victorious in main league top prize of baseball, the World Series, for almost one hundred years. However, the team nurtures an overwhelming fan base and upholds a famous bleacher-section society. Identification is not merely with the team but what comes with that is the recognition that comes with it. Consequences of sports fanaticism Fanaticism has integrated the desire to win; grudge, hatred and desire to take vengeance together and therefore come into existence with the identity of the supporter. Fanaticism means illustrating excessive hatred, extreme love and behavior which is unbalanced. Due to fanaticism, the phrase killing while loving has been presented into literature (Wann, 2006). It is turning out to be a serious issue in sports, not just in one nation but globally as well. Aggressive character and violence entail motives like extreme enthusiasm, being outlaws, disappointed and trying to establish how right you are. It is likely that fanaticism can stop an individual from obstructing his aggressiveness when motivated. It is evident that aggressiveness and violence amongst fans particularly in football is turning out to be unmanageable, brutish and raving. In a greater percentage of the situations, psychologists say that the advantage of rooting for a certain team outdoes the bad characteristics (Wann, 2006). Spectators who consider sports seriously are likely to have extra mental disorders that go further than the plain fanaticism. Sports fanaticism may result in rioting that might turn violent, resulting to deaths amongst participants. Another consequence of sports fanaticism is economic attachment. This is illustrated when fans provide a strong economic commitment, intermediate or weak financial dedication. Giulianotti (2005) recommends that people should not become entrapped with sports teams. By every means, people should attend games, watch the game on television, and become excited for leading games. But recognizing with and being actually obsessive about something as erratic and unpredictable as a sports team is merely too risky. The possibility of entirely committing to a team does not draw an appropriate reward. The superior teams almost never win. They simply never win somewhat less than every other team. The serenity of an enormous championship or win lasts for duration of 48 hours, although the disappointment from a big loss can last for days, continuously gnawing at the sanity of a fan (Giulianotti, 2005). The effects of sports fanaticism are similar to the effects of gambling. For instance, losing $500 can upset for days. Winning $500 is thrilling in the instant and then wears off quickly. Definitely, rooting for sports set has advantages. Reminiscence of exciting and then delighted plays and triumphs can last forever. People usually develop enduring friendship via sports. The delight of a championship is not a thing to marginalize. The moderate fan, however, is the thrilled one. In daily life, with regards to the level of happiness on people or things that someone does not have power is a losing battle. That rule equally relates to sport fandom. The predicament for sports fanatics is that upholding obsession while having little expectations is almost impossible. When obsessive, as a spectator or a participant, particularly when considering frequently indulging in watching aggressive spectator sports or excessive attachment to sports, extreme identification, an individual may lose some direction over his or her own self-value and identity, and this can be one contributing feature toward patterns of thought in both children and adults, that might add up to a number of symptoms in some mental wellbeing disorders. Research has even shown that some sports fanatics turn violent in their household and become wife beaters just because their best sports teams lose the match (Giulianotti, 2005). A considerable number of sports fanatics get involved in traffic accidents because their team lost the match. Some fanatics may fall ill after squad misses a game. Some fanatics may assert the sport lost a big man. Solutions to sports fanaticism Fanaticism signs can sometimes be tricky to recognize in their initial stages. However, it is very important to identify the indicators of sports fanaticism. After identification, they should be monitored and analyzed strongly. The responsibility of the community organizations in facing and controlling the phenomenon of fanaticism is very vital as well. It is not possible to cope with these types of issues which conflict the ethics of sports with a sole effort, a single nation or an individual association. Therefore, every country needs to see sports fanaticism as a mutual problem, and they should try to resolve it together by way of education. Superstitions are important components of sports, and they might also be yet another method spectators cope with the performance of their team (Wann, 2006). In ongoing study, researchers are exploring the function of superstition. Various participants can voluntarily define a superstition or custom they believe in. Furthermore, a number of them are truly certain that their participation in custom superstition impacts the results. The more highly recognized with a team the spectators are, the more expected they are to consider that superstitions matter. The change in attitude is advisable. The emotional deal saved from decreasing concentration on actual sports teams can rather be used on running a fantasy football squad, where the fan and owner at least exercise some level of control. Conclusion To conclude, it is clear that sports fanaticism has turned out to be trendy in the current years, particularly football. As discussed above, various factors lead to sports fanaticism. For instance, social aspects whereby an individual wants to associate himself with the winning team. The psychological drives are also fundamental. For instance, passion to a specific team may determine a fan’s behavior or lifestyle. He would now want to fit in a certain environment thus modifies his lifestyle. Simple games like baseball also have a great impact on sports fanaticism. The consequences of sports fanaticism may be very devastating. Violence and aggressiveness are the key outcomes of sports fanaticism. Although sports fanaticism yields unpleasant behavior, it is difficult to resolve the issue. However, nations and associations may work together to get effective and lasting solutions to this matter. This can basically be done through education of the spectators. References Ford, D. (2008). An Integrated Physiology Case Study. Retrieved on April 12, 2012, from http://www.sciencecases.org/spinal/spinal.asp Giulianotti, R. (2005). Sport Spectators and the Social Consequences of Commodification. Journal of Sport & Social Issues, 29, 4, 386-410. Wang, S. (2006). Sports Complex. The Science Behind Fanatic Behavior. Retrieved on April 12, 2012, from http://www.psychologicalscience.org/observer/getArticle.cfm?id=1986 Wann, D.L. (2006). Examining the potential causal relationship between sport team identification and psychological wellbeing. Journal of Sport Behavior, 29, 79-95 Read More