In the world of American football, jersey numbers aren't just for identification; they can influence how players perceive themselves and how others see them. A recent study from UCLA sheds light on a fascinating phenomenon: lower jersey numbers make football players look thinner, even when their body sizes remain the same. This intriguing discovery adds a scientific dimension to a belief long-held by football wide receivers.
The study not only validates what football wide receivers have intuitively known but also underscores the intricate ways our brains process information, even when it comes to the numbers on a sports jersey.
For years, football wide receivers have shown a preference for jersey numbers between 10 and 19, believing that these lower numbers make them appear faster and slimmer than their counterparts wearing higher numbers in the 80s. Until recently, this was anecdotal, lacking scientific backing. However, a study published in the journal PLOS ONE now confirms these perceptions.
Led by UCLA professor Ladan Shams, the study aimed to explore the connection between jersey numbers and perceived body size. In two experiments, participants consistently rated images of players in jerseys numbered 10 to 19 as looking thinner than those in jerseys numbered 80 to 89, even when the players' body sizes were identical. This intriguing result suggests that our brains rely on previously learned associations between numbers and sizes to shape our perceptions.
Shams explains, "How we perceive the world is highly influenced by our prior knowledge." She emphasizes that our brains excel at detecting and storing statistical associations, often without our awareness, which can significantly impact future perceptions.
Historically, the NFL mandated wide receivers to wear uniform numbers between 80 and 89. However, in 2004, the league revised this rule, allowing wide receivers to choose lower numbers if they preferred. By 2019, approximately 80% of wide receivers had embraced this change, opting for jersey numbers between 10 and 19.
The study conducted online and in-person experiments, addressing concerns about the width of jersey numbers. Even when number combinations like 17 and 71, 18 and 81, and 19 and 91 were compared, participants consistently perceived players with higher numbers as bulkier, albeit to a lesser extent in the second experiment.
These findings underline the importance of learned associations in our perception of body size. While this phenomenon may have minimal impact on football players' performance, it highlights the broader issue of implicit bias in various aspects of life. Such biases can influence judgments, decisions, and behaviors towards individuals or social groups, with potential consequences. Shams emphasises the importance of representation to counteract these biases, using the brain's statistical learning power to promote diversity and reduce implicit bias.
