The Playing Field

Sport and Culture Through the Lens of Science
by Steven Kotler

Why We Love Losers

By Steven Kotler on April 30, 2008 in The Playing Field

imageThe Psychology of the Underdog Read More

What about the fourth

Submitted by Randy M. Zeitman on May 1, 2008 - 5:16am.

What about the fourth reason?....because the payoff is the biggest! It costs no more to root for the underdog but if they win the payoff (of being right) is far larger.

In other words, it's satisfying the desire to be right...choosing the underdog that wins makes me more right than if I choose the favorite to win.

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Steven Kotler

Steven Kotler is the author of West of Jesus: Surfing, Science and the Origins of Belief. His magazine writing has appeared in more than 31 publications.

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