Investigating an Evolving Leisure Experience: Antecedents and Consequences of Spectator Affect During a Live Sporting Event

Abstract

The paper explores the temporal nature of an evolving leisure experience. A model is proposed that investigates the antecedents and consequences of attribution-dependent emotions in the performance context of a live sporting event. Attribution-dependent emotions are those arising in response to the praiseworthy and blameworthy actions of the performers charged with delivering a performance. Antecedents of attribution-dependent affect include goal relevance and affective expectations. Consequences of attribution-dependent affect include spectators' satisfaction with the quality of the performance and their perceptions of its entertainment value. Performance satisfaction and goal relevance predict optimism about the team's chances in future games.