Topic: Social Science
Two Harvard scientists, Todd Rogers and Audrey Feldman, are studying how sports fandom can bring people together and improve lives. They believe that sports have a powerful role in society, but it's often overlooked.
Two social scientists at the Harvard Kennedy School, Todd Rogers and doctoral student Audrey Feldman, think that sports fandom can help heal the divisions in American society. They're leading a project called the Fandom and Social Connection Initiative to study how sports can bring people together.
Their research shows that nearly three-quarters of Americans follow a professional sports team, and most consider their fandom an important part of their identity. However, sports receive very little attention from scholars. In top social science journals, only about 1 in 800 articles are about sports.
Rogers and Feldman want to change this by applying modern tools to the study of sports fandom. They believe that sports have a powerful role in society, bringing people together across racial, economic, and political divides. Many forms of social organization, such as clubs and churches, are declining, but sports fandom is growing.
Their survey found that non-fans often view passionate sports fans as being on the same level as Homo erectus, which Rogers thinks is a low appraisal of fandom's social role. He believes that sports fandom provides social infrastructure in a world where few institutions can bring people together.
Why It Matters
This research matters to Indian students because it shows how something as simple as sports fandom can have a positive impact on society. It also highlights the importance of interdisciplinary approaches, like studying sports through the lens of social science and behavioral economics.
Key Facts
- Two Harvard scientists, Todd Rogers and Audrey Feldman, are leading a project to study the role of sports fandom in society.
- Nearly three-quarters of Americans follow a professional sports team, and most consider their fandom an important part of their identity.
- Sports receive very little attention from scholars, with only about 1 in 800 articles in top social science journals being about sports.
- The Fandom and Social Connection Initiative aims to apply modern tools to the study of sports fandom.
- Rogers and Feldman believe that sports have a powerful role in society, bringing people together across racial, economic, and political divides.
Key Terms
- Homo erectus
- An extinct human species that lived around 1.8 million years ago.
Implications
This research matters to Indian students because it shows how something as simple as sports fandom can have a positive impact on society. It also highlights the importance of interdisciplinary approaches, like studying sports through the lens of social science and behavioral economics.
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