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I Am Distinctive When I Belong: Meeting The Need For Optimal Distinctiveness Through Team Identification, Michael M. Goldman, S. Chadwick, D. C. Funk, A. Wocke
I Am Distinctive When I Belong: Meeting The Need For Optimal Distinctiveness Through Team Identification, Michael M. Goldman, S. Chadwick, D. C. Funk, A. Wocke
Sport Management
The development of stronger team identity has previously been explained through the social identity aspect of belonging. Although this has contributed much to our understanding of sport fans, it has neglected an alternative explanation for team identity, specifically the search for distinctiveness. How then do fans develop stronger team identity by 'standing out' as opposed to 'fitting in'? This paper provides evidence of seven identity management strategies used by fans with a strong psychological connection to their chosen team. Saturation sampling was employed to interview 29 South African rugby union fans via semi-structured interviews, followed by a directed approach to …