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
Mar 11
How to become more patient, with Sarah Schnitker, PhD
Life is full of situations -- and people -- that try our patience, from a standstill traffic jam to an obstinate preschooler who won’t put on her shoes. Sarah Schnitker, PhD, talks about why patience can be so hard to come by; whether modern life and modern technology have made u ... Show More
35m 13s
Mar 4
Incentivizing recovery: Why contingency management works to treat addiction, with Lara Coughlin, PhD, and Michael McDonell, PhD
More than half of drug overdose deaths in the U.S. involve stimulants like methamphetamine and cocaine. There are no medications to treat stimulant addiction, but there is a behavioral treatment that works: contingency management, which involves offering tangible, immediate rewar ... Show More
45m 29s
Feb 25
Catching fire: What goes viral and why? With Jonah Berger, PhD
Why do some ideas, products, news stories and trends spread like wildfire, while others disappear? Jonah Berger, PhD, discusses the science of what catches on; the psychological forces that drive word of mouth, including social currency and high-arousal emotions like awe and ange ... Show More
41m 33s
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