The Advantage of Disadvantage: Underdogs in Politics
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2009
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
https://doi.org/10.1080/01973530802659810
Abstract
Political candidates are often labeled as underdogs, either by the press or themselves. This paper explores connotations associated with the underdog label in the political arena. We argue that being labeled an underdog has a strategic advantage because it is associated with positive qualities, particularly likeability. The current studies demonstrate that partisan supporters prefer to see their favored candidate as an underdog compared to people not aligned with the candidate, and underdog-labeled entities are perceived to be warmer, and no less competent, than frontrunners. Discussion focuses on the advantages and risks of carrying the underdog label in the political arena.
Was this content written or created while at USF?
Yes
Citation / Publisher Attribution
Basic and Applied Social Psychology, v. 31, issue 1, p. 24-31
Scholar Commons Citation
Goldschmied, Nadav and Vandello, Joseph A., "The Advantage of Disadvantage: Underdogs in Politics" (2009). Psychology Faculty Publications. 2268.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/psy_facpub/2268
