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Happiness as a Reward for Torture: Is Participation in a Long-Distance Triathlon a Rational Choice?

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  • Joel Maxcy
  • Pamela Wicker
  • Joachim Prinz

Abstract

This study applies prospect theory to an assessment of actual behavior. Loss aversion, reference dependence, and diminishing sensitivity are conceptualized through survey respondents’ perceptions of physical and mental torture during training for and competition in long-distance triathlons. Regression results show that frequent thoughts of giving up during the race negatively affect happiness after the race, while mental torture during training and race is negatively associated with happiness in the weeks after the race. Satisfaction with race outcome positively affects happiness, suggesting that achieving individual goals is more important than absolute performance in terms of finishing times and ranks.

Suggested Citation

  • Joel Maxcy & Pamela Wicker & Joachim Prinz, 2019. "Happiness as a Reward for Torture: Is Participation in a Long-Distance Triathlon a Rational Choice?," Journal of Sports Economics, , vol. 20(2), pages 177-197, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:jospec:v:20:y:2019:i:2:p:177-197
    DOI: 10.1177/1527002518758144
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Tim F. Thormann & Pamela Wicker, 2024. "Environmentally-Friendly Stadium Travel of Football Fans: A Stated Preferences Study," Journal of Sports Economics, , vol. 25(1), pages 3-29, January.
    2. Bruno S. Frey & Anthony Gullo, 2021. "Does Sports Make People Happier, or Do Happy People More Sports?," Journal of Sports Economics, , vol. 22(4), pages 432-458, May.
    3. Naidenova, Iuliia & Parshakov, Petr & Suvorov, Sergei, 2022. "Air pollution and individual productivity: Evidence from the Ironman Triathlon results," Economics & Human Biology, Elsevier, vol. 47(C).
    4. John C. Whitehead & Pamela Wicker, 2018. "Valuing Non-Market Benefits of Participatory Sport Events Using Willingness to Travel: Payment Card vs Random Selection with Mitigation of Hypothetical Bias," Working Papers 18-06, Department of Economics, Appalachian State University.
    5. John C. Whitehead & Pamela Wicker, 2019. "Examining return visitation and the monetary value of participatory sport events: The role of attribute non-attendance," Working Papers 19-13, Department of Economics, Appalachian State University.

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