Devoted fans release more cortisol when watching live soccer matches

Abstract

Why do some sports fans experience intense emotions when watching live matches? Identity fusion is a strong form of group alignment in which personal and group identities are activated synergistically to produce a visceral sense of 'oneness' with one's team. Here we examine the role of fusion (using a three‐item state measure with high internal validity) in elevating salivary cortisol levels while watching football (n = 41). Our evidence was gathered at field laboratories during the 2014 sFIFA World Cup in Natal, Brazil, with live screenings of two Brazilian victories (Colombia, 2–1; Chile, 1–1 with penalties), and the historic semi‐final loss to Germany (1–7). We replicated previous studies showing that salivary cortisol concentrations fluctuate during live football events and are related to group membershipbut we also extended them by showing that identity fusion is even more strongly related to cortisol concentrations than identification. We found an interaction between match outcome and cortisol, such that watching a loss, i.e. dysphoria, was associated with particularly high cortisol concentrations. While women were more fused to the team than men, there were no other gender effects. Taken together, these findings suggest that identity fusion modulates physiological reactivity, resulting in distinct psycho‐physiological profiles during stressful events.

Dying for the group: Towards a general theory of extreme self-sacrifice

“…Some aspects of the process by which shared dysphoric experiences lead to fusion have now been measured physiologically, as well as by using psychometric tests and self-report. For example, a recent longitudinal study of Brazilian fans during the 2014 FIFA World Cup revealed that increased heart rate and cortisol levels during live matches predicted higher levels of fusion over time (Newson et al, under review). Efforts have also been made to explore the physiological processes by which out-group threat motivates self-sacrifice in highly fused individuals.…”

Being in a crowd bonds people via physiological synchrony

“…Moreover, while there is evidence suggesting that shared arousal is a complex bio-social phenomenon 9 , integrated research examining physiological and social effects in tandem is rare. Studies have found that arousing social gatherings can lead to the synchronization of autonomic activity among participants, including spectators 10 , 11 , and that shared arousal is associated with intense pro-group sentiments 1 , 12 – 14 . However, as the literature concerning physiological synchrony is still under development, there is little theoretical precision or methodological consolidation 15 , and as a result the links between these analytic levels are not yet fully understood 16 .…”

Creativity and tradition: Music and bifocal stance theory

“…The noted anthropologist Edmund Leach, for example, describes the process of gardening among the Kachin of highland Burma as continually oscillating between practical instrumental elements necessary to ensure plant growth and "aesthetic frills" that are technically unnecessary but conventional aspects of horticulture, identifying the gardener as a bona fide member of the Kachin cultural group (Leach, 1954). Much the same may be said of spectator sports such as football (Newson et al, 2020), which have many very ritualistic aspects (from "Mexican waves" to the wearing of special scarves) but also very causally transparent procedures for achieving end goals (such as the placement of a ball at the back of a net). We return briefly to this point in section 2.4.1. when discussing the affiliative aspects of ritual participation and also in connection with quasi-instrumental rituals.…”