Are you a sports “superfan”? Or do you wonder what’s driving the superfans in your life? Daniel Wann, PhD, of Murray State University, talks about why being a fan is usually good for people’s mental health, how they choose the teams they root for, why some are fair-weather fans while others love to cheer for the underdog, how fandom is changing among younger ... Show More
Yesterday
Inside the social minds -- and amazing memories -- of chimps and bonobos, with Laura Simone Lewis, PhD
Most of us could look at a decades-old yearbook and recognize many of the faces of our former classmates -- but humans aren't the only ones with this remarkable ability. Laura Simone Lewis, PhD, of the University of California, Santa Barbara, discusses her research on the long-te ... Show More
39m 36s
Jan 14
Precision mental health and personalized treatment, with Leanne Williams, PhD, and Zachary Cohen, PhD
Depression and anxiety look very different from one person to the next, and finding the right treatment can be a trial-and-error process. But researchers are working to change that. Leanne Williams, PhD, and Zachary Cohen, PhD, discuss the emerging field of precision or personali ... Show More
42m 9s
Jan 7
How will AI companions change our human relationships? With Ashleigh Golden, PsyD, and Rachel Wood, PhD
What does it mean to have an AI boyfriend or girlfriend, or to turn to an AI friend for emotional support? Ashleigh Golden, PsyD, and Rachel Wood, PhD, discuss the rise of AI companions and how they may change our human relationships; the differences – and overlap – between AI co ... Show More
47m 44s
Sep 2020
1.01 - What is sport psychology anyway?
In this episode, Dr Pete Olusoga & Hugh Gilmore talk to Dr Jonathan Fader, a clinical and performance psychologist, best known for his work in Major League Baseball and the NFL. We discuss what sport psychology is (and what it isn't), and some of the ways that psychology might he ... Show More
44m 55s
Jul 2013
Eric Simons, “The Secret Lives of Sports Fans: The Science of Sports Obsession” (The Overlook Press, 2013)
In October 2007, journalist Eric Simons sat in the stands of Memorial Stadium in Berkeley, Calif., to watch his beloved University of California Bears take on Oregon State University in football. If Cal won, it almost certainly would be ranked No. 1 in the country. Instead, Simo ... Show More
53m 55s
Jul 2020
Do sports fans stick with the same team due to loyalty or delusion?
Sports. It's a beautiful thing. To those who don't get it, it can appear mad to stay with the same team through wins, losses, management changes, player transfers and more. The Last Dance showed us how Michael Jordan pretty much carried The Bulls on his back, should a fan be crit ... Show More
32m 32s
Mar 2022
Playing Sports and Mental Health with Brock Huard
How can sports impact our mental health? Playing sports can teach valuable life skills like resilience, endurance, and how to work with others. It can also support cognitive development, improving focus and problem-solving skills. There are also concerns about whether the pressur ... Show More
28m 52s
Jan 2022
QB Confidence Rankings, College Football Dying, Siding w/Enemy, Wharton, Reporter Hit, Jamaica Bobsled, Instagram Subscriptions
On this episode of Wrighster or Wrong, George Wrighster and Ralph Amsden rank the remaining quarterbacks in the NFL playoffs according to their level of confidence in them. Georgia Head Coach Kirby Smart told some hard truths about the state of college football, and both George a ... Show More
1h 6m
Feb 2022
When Your Team Loses, Disappointment Can Lead To Genuine Grief
Fans of the Cincinnati Bengals may be licking their wounds after Sunday's Super Bowl loss, but every sports fan can relate to the pain that follows a big game not going their way. And while it's normal to be upset, those feelings of disappointment can occasionally turn into grief ... Show More
10m 28s
Feb 2023
How body language can influence teammates and competitors in sports
I talk with Philip Furley, who has done extensive research on behavior and psychology in sports. Topics discussed include: how an athlete's body language can influence teammates, opponents, and even judges; behaviors and strategies of penalty kickers and goalkeepers in soccer; so ... Show More
1h 3m
Dec 2021
Oregon Spaces, Cam Newton, Bills Mafia, Heisman, Kim Kardashian Bar Exam
On this episode of Wrighster or Wrong, George Wrighster and Ralph Amsden review the weekend that was in the National Football League, and discuss some hard truths about Carolina Panthers QB Cam Newton, the legitimacy of the 2021 Buffalo Bills, and the regret of the teams that pas ... Show More
42m 37s