CHFA | Psychology Department Showcase: Completed Projects
Paws and Playoffs: Examining the Relationship Between Pet Ownership and Sport Fandom
Academic Level at Time of Presentation
Senior
Major
Psychology
Minor
Biology
List all Project Mentors & Advisor(s)
Daniel Wann, PhD.
Presentation Format
Event
Abstract/Description
Pet ownership can be examined by assessing numerous characteristics connected to owning a pet. In United States households, about 66% own a pet (Martyn, 2024). Some characteristics of pet ownership that have been examined include neuroticism and conscientiousness, investment, if one owned a pet during childhood, and pet loyalty (e.g., Collisson, 2015; Well & Treacy, 2024). Likewise, sport fandom can be characterized by assessing different aspects (Wann & James, 2019). These aspects include general fandom (i.e., the degree that an individual follows sport as a fan), team identification (i.e., the degree that a fan has a psychological connection to a team), and fan dysfunction (i.e., the degree to which a fan is confrontational and complain a great deal). Our current study combined these factors to examine the relationship between pet ownership and sport fandom, more specifically loyalty and the three measures of sport fandom. The data were analyzed via correlational and regression statistics. Results showed that there was only one significant relationship between sport fandom and pet ownership. Specifically, the pet ownership subscale of “Possibility of Giving Up” was significantly predicted by dysfunctional fandom. Evidently, dysfunctional fans lack empathy for their pets and, when there is a possibility, they are more likely to get rid of their pet.
Spring Scholars Week 2025
Psychology: Completed Projects
Paws and Playoffs: Examining the Relationship Between Pet Ownership and Sport Fandom
Pet ownership can be examined by assessing numerous characteristics connected to owning a pet. In United States households, about 66% own a pet (Martyn, 2024). Some characteristics of pet ownership that have been examined include neuroticism and conscientiousness, investment, if one owned a pet during childhood, and pet loyalty (e.g., Collisson, 2015; Well & Treacy, 2024). Likewise, sport fandom can be characterized by assessing different aspects (Wann & James, 2019). These aspects include general fandom (i.e., the degree that an individual follows sport as a fan), team identification (i.e., the degree that a fan has a psychological connection to a team), and fan dysfunction (i.e., the degree to which a fan is confrontational and complain a great deal). Our current study combined these factors to examine the relationship between pet ownership and sport fandom, more specifically loyalty and the three measures of sport fandom. The data were analyzed via correlational and regression statistics. Results showed that there was only one significant relationship between sport fandom and pet ownership. Specifically, the pet ownership subscale of “Possibility of Giving Up” was significantly predicted by dysfunctional fandom. Evidently, dysfunctional fans lack empathy for their pets and, when there is a possibility, they are more likely to get rid of their pet.