Reflecting on Arbitrary Rivalry
In a study of Yankees and Red Sox fans, reflecting on how upbringing might have reversed their allegiance reduced hostile choices toward rivals. Participants also reported more sympathetic views of the rival team.
THE IDEA
WHAT YANKEES FANS LIKE ABOUT RED SOX FANS
Researchers randomly assigned fans to reflect on the arbitrariness of their animosity by writing about how Yankees and Red Sox fans dislike each other for reasons that are fairly arbitrary—for example, if you were born into a family of fans of the rival team, you would likely also be a fan of them today.
To gauge animosity, participants were given a chance to decide how spicy the hot sauce sold in the rival team’s stadium should be (a measure of hostility) and to sabotage a rival fan’s performance on a timed, paid math test by assigning harder problems. Those who reflected on the arbitrariness of their stereotypes selected less fiery hot sauce for the rival stadium and chose easier problems for the rival fan.
The effect extended beyond a single fan: participants changed their views toward the rival team as a whole. They were less likely to see the rival’s failure as their success, the rival’s success as a personal insult, or criticism of the rival as a personal compliment. They were more willing to support the rival team in ways like wearing its jerseys, sitting in its dugout, voting for its All-Star players, and endorsing the team on social media.
Key quotes from participants:
"I think it is pretty dumb to hate someone just based on the sports teams they enjoy supporting. Thinking about that makes me want to reconsider how I feel about some supporters of teams that I dislike." "If someone hated me because of the team that I loved, it would feel unfair. Almost like a form of prejudice because they are judging me based on one thing about me and hating me for that reason." "The team they support is not necessarily indicative of who they are. Even though they are wrong."
The critical ingredient was thinking about the arbitrariness of the animosity, not generating positive qualities of the rival. Imagining how it felt to be disliked for arbitrary reasons helped reduce hostility in these tasks.
When to use it
A manager noticing a toxic rivalry between two departments can encourage team members to reflect on the arbitrary origins of their hostility (e.g., office layout, historical disputes) to improve collaboration.
In political discussions, prompting voters to consider that their party affiliation is partly determined by upbringing or geography can reduce polarization and foster more respectful dialogue.
Fan organizations could test whether reflection on the origins of team allegiance changes hostile attitudes or conduct in their own setting.
FROM THEORY TO EVERYDAY LIFE
In practice
Hot Sauce Spiciness Experiment
Yankees fans were asked to decide how spicy the hot sauce sold in the Red Sox stadium should be. Those who reflected on the arbitrariness of the rivalry chose a less spicy sauce compared to those who did not reflect.
Math Test Sabotage Experiment
Fans had the opportunity to assign easier or harder math problems to a rival fan in a paid test. Reflecting on arbitrariness led fans to assign easier problems, reducing sabotage.
A MOMENT TO REFLECT
Put it to work.
Think of a group you dislike (e.g., a rival sports team, political party, or brand). What are the specific reasons for your feelings? How many of those reasons are based on arbitrary factors like where you grew up or who you were taught to dislike?
Imagine you were born into a family that supports the rival group. How might your feelings differ? Write a short paragraph from that perspective.
How does recognizing the arbitrariness of group animosity change your willingness to cooperate or interact with members of that group?
Often confused with
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION
Source texts
- Think Again The Power of Knowing What You Dont Know (Adam Grant)