Sport Fans: The Psychology and Social Impact of Spectators

1. An Introduction to the Study of Sport Fans Defining and classifying sport fans Demographic and personality traits of sport fans The pervasiveness and impact of sport in today's society Overview of the remainder of the text PART I: The Desire to Follow Sport, Teams, and Athletes 2. Becoming a Sport Fan Socialization into the role of sport fan Sport fan motivation Some final thoughts 3. Becoming a Sport Spectator Theoretical approaches to sport spectating The theory of personal investment Some final thoughts 4. Sport Fans and Their Heroes An introduction to hero selection Sport heroes in contemporary society: Prevalence, selection, and influence The impact of personality on the admiration of sport heroes A rogue's gallery Some final thoughts PART II:Spectator Agression 5. An Introduction to Spectator Agression Definitions and Distinctions The various forms of spectator aggression Assessing the magnitude of spectator aggression Perceptions of spectator aggression among the interested parties Some final thoughts 6. Psychological and SOciological Causes of Spectator Aggression Psychological approaches to understanding spectator aggression Sociological approaches to understanding spectator aggression Alcohol Some final thoughts 7. Sport Spectator Riots Definitions of riotous behavior Typologies of riots Those who would participate in and escalate a sport riot Those who would quell a sport riot: The peacemakers Soccer hooliganism Some final thoughts PART III:The Function of Sport Fandom for Individuals and Society 8. The Psychological Consequences of Sport Fandom Psychologically-based criticisms of sport fans and the pastime Psychological Well-being and Sport Fandom Some final thoughts 9. The Societal Consequences of Sport Fandom The structural-functionalist perspective Selected critiques of sport fandom Some final thoughts References Author Index Subject Index