Why do we like Underdogs?

Rooting for Underdogs is a phenomenon that has penetrated human psychology. This behavior is anything but random, as it is caused by various psychological and cultural factors.

Events in which the underdog wins are often perceived as miracles, and humans are attracted to what breaks the monotony of the ending where the strongest wins. It creates a moment of unpredictability that many people find euphoric. Underdogs challenge expectations, and this generates a feeling of wonder and surprise. When we see the Underdog struggle against incredible misfortunes, we develop a great respect for their sacrifice and spirit. Their stories empower the idea that, with hard work, determination and tenacity, everyone can emerge.

The advantaged or Updog is sometimes perceived as arrogant or privileged, and these features make them less likeable than the humility and vulnerability of Underdogs. The latter, on the other hand, appear pure and genuine, and these are the sort of quality that naturally attracts emotional support. The fight of Underdogs against more powerful opponents creates a dynamic of tension. We want to see how it will end, because every little victory they have represents an emotional triumph.
Underdogs embody our fears and aspirations. Their desire to overcome obstacles tie in with our universal growth and progress. They often start their stories from a disadvantaged position, and this makes them similar to anyone who has ever felt the sensation of being ignored or underestimated. To be concrete and demonstrate how much Underdogs have affected us, it’s enough to take some examples into account.

In 2016 the English team Leicester City won the Premier League, the famous British football championship. This team had never been among the best and they had actually risked relegation every year. The team was not made up of a group of strong and well-known players. The coach, Claudio Ranieri led them to the total and overwhelming conquest of the championship thanks to his experience. Thanks to him, Leicester won against famous teams like Liverpool, Manchester City, Chelsea and Manchester United, which had always clashed without considering the other smaller teams. Perhaps, a bit of luck contributed to Leicester’s victories, but they were actually able to counter the others in every game with great tenacity and desire to win, after realizing they had an absurd chance of overturning expectations. It was like a miracle coming from heaven, fans of other teams still remember that year as a crazy and absurd event, complimenting Leicester City for the result achieved. Thanks to that championship, many players of the team were noticed by managers from all over the world and began their glorious careers.

All in all, Underdogs represent what so many of us would like to be once in our lives, being able to surprise those who look at us superficially by making us feel insignificant. We all wait for that event which opens the way toward a new life, which leads us to persist in our goals by keeping improving ourselves. This is the main reason why Underdogs were, are and will be loved forever.