How can you unite with people you compete against? Researchers at Lancaster University in England found a way.
The researchers asked fans of two rival professional soccer teams to wear their team jersey. Then, they were asked to write about “why do you like your team?” Next, they asked the fans to move to another place and planned to have some of them fall down. The findings concluded that you are more inclined to help those you share common interests with than those with whom you do not.
The researchers called on other fans and proceeded to a second study. This time, the researchers let the fans write about “why are you a fan of soccer?” Then, they repeated same scenario and the result was different. Whether a person wore a same team jersey or a rival one, they helped each other equally.
As the research shows, people feel closer to each other if they find similarities between themselves. Although the fans root for different teams, they have something in common – they both like soccer, so they felt close to each other and gave a lending hand.