Every team, before every game, has a set of preconceived notions about how the contest will play out. Much of it comes from within the team (i.e., coaches scouting the team at practice, watching game tape, etc.) but even college students cannot shield themselves from Sports Centers analysts and other media outlets. The continual bombardment of facts and opinions create thoughts about how the game will be played. Whether the analysis and insight about the game is right or wrong is superfluous. The seed has already been planted in the thoughts of the participants; expectations have been set.

Players and teams take expectations into the game. It is important to note that before the game begins expectations are completely unsupported by actual proof from the game in question. In essence, players carry biased thoughts, good or bad, about how a game will transpire without one shred of evidence. Teams then base their data collection (once the game begins) on, perhaps, an unstable foundation. However, the absolute truth is not nearly as important as the rationalization of the participants.

Expectations are not real, just thoughts, but they do have incredible power over one’s performance because people do not like to be wrong. If a participant or team has a thought regarding the outcome of a game they do not like to be disproved. Often times they will hold onto expectations irrespective of the setback. Next time you are involved (either watching or participating) in a game, be aware of the initial expectations and observe how they change as more data is provided.

This entry was posted on Thursday, February 14th, 2008 at 12:15 pm and is filed under Competition, Perception. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.