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This entry is about a yearly showdown between the University of Michigan and THE Ohio State University called The Blood Battle. No, this is not a football game or a basketball game. Indeed, Michigan won in 2010, so you sports fans know that I must mean something else. Read More
So what is the psychology?
On the surface, this program fuses the competitive spirit with humanitarianism. I wonder, though, how much wanting to win this battle actually motivates anyone to give blood. I think the problem with getting people to donate is that it is not a high status activity. So what is most needed is attention (primal indicator of status) and prestige. I think the association of the blood drive with THE GAME is about status, not competition. This suggests that even more blood would be obtained if, say, the coaches or star athletes from the past were involved. At THE GAME Tressel announced the results of the organ donation drive, for example, while some unseen announcer gave the results of the blood drive.
good points
Indeed. I doubt that the motive of wanting to win matters much, especially because the results are not reported to the end. I think UM and OSU folks are just trying to do the right thing, and "winning" is just along for the after-the-fact ride. I really liked the point about putting a face on the so-called battle. From the Kate Smith war bond drives of WWII to more recent programs associated with Princess Di, Angelina Jolie (sigh), and the like, a concrete and charismatic person associated with a cause helps rally support.
Chris Peterson
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