Identity Formation, Identity Strength, and Self-Categorization as Predictors of Affective and Psychological Outcomes

Abstract

This study is interested in what sources of team identity formation are related to self-categorization as a sport team fan and the strength of that team identification, and what affective and psychological outcomes become salient in spectatorship scenarios. Participants were administered self-report instruments previously designed to measure team identity formation and psychological effects, then given cognitive tasks adapted from a previous study (Markus, 1977). Participants were required to return to the lab to watch highlights and lowlights of the attending football team’s season. These videos were recorded and coded for affective responses. Because previous evidence supports connections between identity formation, self-categorization/strength of identity, psychological effects, and affective responses, a generalized latent variable model was estimated. The model fit the data, exposing a mediated relationship. This study extends upon previous research by isolating specific aspects of team identity formation that differentially influence affective and communicative responses, especially when mediated by sport team identification. Findings also support the assertion that identity is related to the value and emotional attachment placed on a group membership.