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1/ https://twitter.com/CarlHunterson23/status/1329547363959058435?s=20
Most importantly, how do you answer such a question? By what mental processes (MindSkills)? First, notice that
@CarlHunterson2 is following his curiosity and actually asking a question. We need more of that. Next, is it the "right" question?
Most importantly, how do you answer such a question? By what mental processes (MindSkills)? First, notice that
@CarlHunterson2 is following his curiosity and actually asking a question. We need more of that. Next, is it the "right" question?
2/ Is it the question that will yield the most desired information? It implies ("grown men") ("obsessed") that pro sports are a childish pursuit that they should have grown out of. This will limit our thinking and bias the answer.
3/ Better Q:
"What are the various factors that go into intense involvement with pro sports?"
This recognizes that there is rarely just one reason for human behavior and stays neutral about the worth of such behavior.
"What are the various factors that go into intense involvement with pro sports?"
This recognizes that there is rarely just one reason for human behavior and stays neutral about the worth of such behavior.
4/ But by what mental processes do we now answer the question?
First, how not to answer the question: Most people take the first plausible explanation that pops into their heads and then defend it. This speculation is fine, as speculation and labeled as such.
First, how not to answer the question: Most people take the first plausible explanation that pops into their heads and then defend it. This speculation is fine, as speculation and labeled as such.
5/ It's the first step of science: hypothesis formation.
Watch CNN and Fox to see wild speculation — especially about peoples' motives — elevated into dogmatic punditry. You don't want that. So, what do you do?
Watch CNN and Fox to see wild speculation — especially about peoples' motives — elevated into dogmatic punditry. You don't want that. So, what do you do?
6/ Whether or not you have some speculations, you need data, facts, evidence — a rational approach rather than bald assertions.
7/ I would Google this subject and see if there are some evidence-based articles from social psychologists, sociologists and behavioral economists to explain this multi-billion-dollar industry. I'd be astounded if there weren't.
8/ Next, ASK PEOPLE, like you just did. BUT beware:
People, unaided, will give you speculation and rationalization. It just so happens that I've done a lot of focus groups on this subject. If you ask people, "Why do you..." you get rationalizations.
People, unaided, will give you speculation and rationalization. It just so happens that I've done a lot of focus groups on this subject. If you ask people, "Why do you..." you get rationalizations.
9/ You have to ask indirectly: "Tell me about the last game you watched..."
"You were excited. What about that excited you?" "Why do you think your friends watch sports so passionately?" (Projective question) "Imagine you're wearing your team's Jersey.
"You were excited. What about that excited you?" "Why do you think your friends watch sports so passionately?" (Projective question) "Imagine you're wearing your team's Jersey.
10/ What are you feeling and saying to yourself?" "Imagine you met your sports hero…"
The point here is that if you want to answer complex motivational questions, you might need to spend some time in the "I don't know yet" space, gathering frustrating data.
The point here is that if you want to answer complex motivational questions, you might need to spend some time in the "I don't know yet" space, gathering frustrating data.
11/ Or, you can reduce your uncertainty with dogmatic speculation. Your choice.
Oh, and the answer is…
Some sports-watching motivations:
Tribal affiliation behavior: the desire to belong, be part of something, be accepted.
Oh, and the answer is…
Some sports-watching motivations:
Tribal affiliation behavior: the desire to belong, be part of something, be accepted.
12/ Hero worship. The personification and concretization of one's highest values: e.g., skill, persistence, grace, determination, strategy, winning, etc
Escape into "manly" pursuits.
Escape into "manly" pursuits.
13/ Desire to hang out with one's spouse, buddies, kids, etc.
Illusion of fighting for a "cause."
Excuse to drink and/or gamble.
Intellectual pursuits: tactics, strategy, skills, team management, stats, etc. Admiring human excellence.
Illusion of fighting for a "cause."
Excuse to drink and/or gamble.
Intellectual pursuits: tactics, strategy, skills, team management, stats, etc. Admiring human excellence.
14/ Summary:
Refine the Question. Human motivation is complex & multi-factorial.
Speculate. Then investigate.
Don't jump to conclusions or overgeneralize. Different folks have different strokes.
Ask people, indirectly. Expect rationalizations. Probe deeper.
Refine the Question. Human motivation is complex & multi-factorial.
Speculate. Then investigate.
Don't jump to conclusions or overgeneralize. Different folks have different strokes.
Ask people, indirectly. Expect rationalizations. Probe deeper.
15/ If you read this far…
If you read this far, you are obviously into understanding and applying MindSkills. So, click the Follow button and you will be rewarded. Also, I shouldn't have to remind you to RT.
If you read this far, you are obviously into understanding and applying MindSkills. So, click the Follow button and you will be rewarded. Also, I shouldn't have to remind you to RT.
