The Playing Field

Sport and Culture Through the Lens of Science

Why We Love Losers

imageThe Psychology of the Underdog Read More

What about the fourth

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 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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