It’s a classic human trait. Whether it’s rooting for a scrappy startup, a sports team with zero wins, or a movie protagonist who is constantly getting kicked while they’re down, we are biologically and psychologically wired to lean toward the “little guy.”
Here is why your brain finds the underdog so irresistible:
- The “Schadenfreude” Safety Net
When a favorite (the “top dog”) wins, it’s expected. When they lose, it feels like a shock. But with an underdog, there is zero risk. If they lose, it’s what was “supposed” to happen. If they win, you experience a massive burst of dopamine because you witnessed a rare, high-reward event. - The Mirror Effect (Identification)
Deep down, most of us don’t feel like the undisputed champions of the world every day. We feel the friction of taxes, bosses, and daily hurdles.
- The Elite: Represent the status quo or the “system.”
- The Underdog: Represents us.
By rooting for them, you are symbolically rooting for your own ability to overcome obstacles.
Justice and Fairness
We have an innate sense of “distributive justice.” If one side has all the resources, money, and talent, it feels “unfair.” Supporting the underdog is a psychological way of trying to balance the scales. We want to believe that effort and heart can beat privilege and power.
The Mathematical “Wow” Factor
In physics and statistics, we are fascinated by outliers. The underdog winning is a statistical anomaly. Following them is like watching a glitch in the matrix—it’s more entertaining than the predictable outcome.
“The underdog’s victory is the ultimate proof that the world isn’t entirely rigged.”
