The Influence of Personality Traits on Sports Fan Identification

D. Todd Donavan
Brad D. Carlson
Mickey Zimmerman

Past research demonstrates the positive effect of identification on sports fans. In this study, the researchers investigate some dispositional antecedents of identification. Using a sports context, the authors test the influence of basic personality traits on the mediating variable of need for affiliation and the outcome variable identification. The findings show that the basic personality traits of extraversion, agreeability, need for arousal and materialism positively affect the need for affiliation. Thereafter, the need for affiliation positively influences the level of identification with the team. The authors discuss the managerial implications of increasing attendance based on the individual personality needs.