Shout At The TV When Watching Sport

Shouting, cheering, yahooing, and generally barracking for your team whilst watching the game on TV is not only allowed, it's mandatory :) and it is a primal, subconscious reaction driven by mirror neurons firing in your brain, an emotional need to release adrenaline, and a desire to feel connected to the game.

Your brain has a network of mirror neurons that fire both when you perform an action and when you watch someone else do it and so, when you see your team make a break for the try line, your brain simulates the experience, causing your muscles to tense and triggering an urge to physically react or shout.

As I wrote back in 2003 there is a huge "we" phenomenon where sports fans psychologically project themselves onto the field, often referring to their favorite team as “we” and are so deeply invested in the outcome that our brains experience the highs and lows as if we are playing.

Yelling at/with the TV is also an involuntary, cathartic release of that nervous energy, excitement, and frustration, especially if watching with others instantly sharing the emotional intensity of the moment and building camaraderie.

So, enjoy yourselves during the game, shout along and let it all out, no matter where you are!

< 46: Apologise as soon as you realise

48: Forgive and move on >

(subscribe/RSS)