MEASURING IDENTIFICATION WITH A SPORT TEAM: AN EMPIRICAL COMPARISON OF THE SPORT TEAM IDENTIFICATION SCALE WITH THE SPORT SPECTATOR IDENTIFICATION SCALE (original) (raw)
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North American Journal of Psychology, 2024
Sport team identification has been considered a cornerstone construct in explaining sport fan behavior. The employment of an appropriate instrument is of paramount importance for academics who wish to comprehend sport fandom. The purpose of the present study was twofold: First, to further evaluate a newly developed unidimensional scale for assessing sport team identification (the Sport Team Identification Scale; STIS) within the classical test theory framework. Second, to empirically compare it with the multidimensional Team Identification Scale (TIS) in terms of psychometric characteristics and predictive valence. The sample consisted of 471 basketball team supporters. The findings supported the sound psychometric properties of the STIS and the TIS. In addition, the STIS was found to have better predictive power when compared to the TIS. The theoretical implications of the study are discussed.
Sport Spectator Identification Scale: An Item Response Analysis Approach
The Sport Spectator Identification Scale (SSIS) is a widely used instrument designed to measure spectators’ levels of identification with a sport team. Despite the fact that several studies were conducted to examine its validity and reliability, these past efforts relied solely on Classical Test Theory (Lock et al. 2009; Theodorakis et al., 2006; Wann & Branscombe, 1993). The purpose of the present study was to reevaluate the SSIS psychometric properties within the Item Response Theory (IRT) framework. Although the findings are encouraging, there are issues of concern and suggestions for the instrument’s further improvement
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Sport Management Review, 2019
In the current study, the explored the moderating role of ageing in the relationship between team identification/fandom and fan aggression. The authors used an online panel-based survey that offered access to a realworld population of sports fans. Participants were 740 fans of Israeli professional basketball. Results from structural equation modelling demonstrated that older fans reported higher levels of mere sports fandom and lower levels of self-reported aggression and acceptance of aggression. Moreover, age moderated the relationships between team identification (or fandom) and self-reported aggression, such that team identification (or fandom) was more strongly associated with selfreported fan aggression among younger fans than among older fans. The moderating role of age in the relationships between team identification (or fandom) and perceptions of appropriateness of aggression was not supported. The findings contribute to our theoretical understanding of the role of ageing in the relationship between fan identification and fan aggression. Based on these findings, the authors assert that managers might particularly benefit from leveraging the potential, but often neglected, segment of senior fans, since older fans can play a key role in reducing the level of aggression during competitive sports events. Suggestions for future research are also discussed.
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Journal of Amateur Sport, 2015
Past research has found that sport team identification is positively correlated with social psychological health (Phua, 2012; Wann & Weaver, 2009) including work testing adolescent fans (Wann, Brasher, Thomas, & Scheuchner, in press). The current study was designed to extend previous investigations by examining the relationship between team identification and the establishment and maintenance of social connections. Data from 177 high school students confirmed expectations as identification with a high school football team was positively correlated with both social well-being and social connections. However, social connections were not found to mediate the relationship between identification and well-being, contrary to the team identification – social psychological health model (Wann, 2006b).
Identity crisis: a theoretical analysis of ‘team identification’ research
European Sport Management Quarterly, 2017
Research question: Existing team identification research uses various definitions, conceptualisations, and theoretical frameworks. In this paper, we provide a theoretical analysis of previous research using the two dominant theoretical approaches: identity theory and the social identity approach. Our primary purpose is to provide a theoretical framework for the ongoing study of 'team' identification in sport management research. Findings: Scholars have used identity theory (role) and the social identity approach (group) in their quest to understand team identification, however, limited attention has been paid to the differences between the two frameworks. We focus on two aspects of role and group Team identification Page 2 of 44 identification that epitomize divergence in terms of analytical focus and explanations for behavior: the basis for identification and salience. Implications. The manuscript concludes with three recommendations for future research. First, with the aim of making future research more specific, we recommend the use of fan (spectator) identification in studies using identity theory and team identification (organisation / brand) in studies exploring the influence of group identity. Second, we outline definitions for role (fan) and group (team) identification in sport research. Finally, we reflect on the measurement of team identification.
An antecedent model of team identification in the context of professional soccer
The current investigation examined the interrelationships among overall sport team identification, specific dimensions of team identification, and behavioral intentions. Using an antecedents approach to guide predictions (Dabholkar, Shepherd, & Thorpe, 2000), a model was tested in which overall identification would mediate the relationship between specific dimensions of team identification and behavioral intentions. To test the hypothesized pattern of effects, participants completed a questionnaire packet assessing overall identification via the Sport Spectator Identification Scale (Wann & Branscombe, 1993), specific dimensions of identification assessed via the Team Identification Scale (Dimmock & Grove, 2006; Theodorakis, Dimmock, Wann, & Barlas, 2010), and four items assessing behavioral intentions. A series of regression analyses confirmed the predicted pattern of effects. Specifically, both overall identification and the specific dimensions of identification predicted behaviora...