This Is Your Brain on Sports audiobook cover - The Science of Underdogs, the Value of Rivalry, and What We Can Learn From the T-Shirt Cannon

This Is Your Brain on Sports

The Science of Underdogs, the Value of Rivalry, and What We Can Learn From the T-Shirt Cannon

L. Jon Wertheim and Sam Sommers

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This Is Your Brain on Sports
Underdogs & Group Mentality+
Leadership & Perception+
Expertise & Ego+
Impulse & Emotion+
Management & Success+
Potential & Adversity+

Quiz — Test Your Understanding

Question 1 of 7
What psychological concept explains why people are naturally drawn to root for underdogs in sports?
  • A. It allows fans to bask in the reflected glory of an inevitable victory.
  • B. It represents the possibility of an unlikely outcome, mirroring our own personal battles.
  • C. It stems from the 'halo effect' where we perceive weaker teams as having more attractive players.
  • D. It is a result of 'action bias' where fans feel compelled to support the team making the most changes.
Question 2 of 7
How does 'effort justification' (or the IKEA Effect) manifest in sports management?
  • A. Managers will quickly trade away star players to avoid paying high salaries.
  • B. Coaches will prioritize players who naturally excel without needing much guidance.
  • C. Management will keep a troublesome player longer if they have invested a lot of effort into improving them.
  • D. Team owners will fire coaches frequently to justify the money spent on the franchise.
Question 3 of 7
Why do historically great players like Michael Jordan often struggle when they become coaches or managers?
  • A. They suffer from the 'curse of the expert' and cannot easily explain skills that are second nature to them.
  • B. They lack the competitive drive and 'totalitarian ego' required to lead a team to victory.
  • C. They are usually too focused on praising effort rather than actual achievement.
  • D. They overthink split-second decisions because they operate purely in a 'cool' mental state.
Question 4 of 7
According to the book's discussion on brain activity, what is the primary advantage of the brain's emotional 'hot state' in sports?
  • A. It enhances a player's ability to engage in higher-level strategic planning.
  • B. It allows athletes to act quickly and make split-second decisions without overthinking.
  • C. It helps players remain calm and polite during intense rivalries.
  • D. It prevents athletes from making regrettable mistakes under pressure.
Question 5 of 7
What is 'action bias' in the context of sports management?
  • A. The tendency for players to perform better when they are physically active before a game.
  • B. The inclination of fans to riot or celebrate in the streets after a major victory.
  • C. The urge for team owners to fire a coach after a string of losses just to feel like they are doing something.
  • D. The habit of referees calling more fouls against underdog teams.
Question 6 of 7
Why did a study find that University of Pennsylvania students mentioned their 'Ivy League' status more frequently than Harvard students?
  • A. They were attempting to bask in the reflected glory of the Ivy League's prestige since their school's name alone didn't automatically imply success.
  • B. They were demonstrating a 'totalitarian ego' to intimidate students from other universities.
  • C. They were operating in a 'hot state' during the survey, leading to more boastful answers.
  • D. They felt they put more effort into their education, demonstrating effort justification.
Question 7 of 7
What lesson about human potential does Michael Jordan's 1997 'Flu Game' illustrate?
  • A. That physical talent is hereditary and unaffected by temporary illness.
  • B. That the brain cannot process physical pain when operating in a 'hot state'.
  • C. That having a clear, attainable goal allows the mind to override the brain's natural limits on physical exertion.
  • D. That extreme self-confidence can cure physical ailments during high-stakes moments.

This Is Your Brain on Sports — Full Chapter Overview

This Is Your Brain on Sports Summary & Overview

This Is Your Brain on Sports (2016) is a fascinating journey into the human brain and an examination of what exactly happens to it when we play sports. Far more than mere games people play, sports provide a great deal of insight into our psyche and what makes us tick, observations that ring true for players and fans alike.

Who Should Listen to This Is Your Brain on Sports?

  • Die-hard fans who take sports and their favorite teams very seriously
  • Students of psychology
  • Readers looking for a new perspective on the wide world of sports

About the Author: L. Jon Wertheim and Sam Sommers

L. Jon Wertheim is a senior writer and executive editor at Sports Illustrated, as well as a contributor to CNN, NPR and the Tennis Channel. He has written several best sellers on a variety of sports, including Strokes of Genius and Running the Table.

Sam Sommers is a social psychologist at Tufts University, and his work has focused on the way racial diversity can influence how people think and act. He is also the author of Situations Matter.

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