A heightened peak of grades centered over the average B and C grades, and this in itself differed from the general population of students. Freischlag and Hardin interestedly discovered that A and F students (the two extremes) were absent from the stadium (Russel). They also found that the students who were academically smarter sat in more central locations to view the game. The results showed that only 37% seated in the peripheral sections had A and B grades, whereas nearly two thirds of those in the central sections were A and B pupils. Coleman Griffith (1922) did a similar study that came to similar conclusions.
Another study on crowd composition focused on its relationship with spectator tension. Latane and Harkins (1976), found that the amount of tension in the audience was affected by crowd composition. They discovered that audiences in their late 30's produce 2 to 3 times more tension than teenagers. They also discovered that Male audiences generated more tension than females.
By studying the effect of composition on tension and how it affects the team or players performance can be applied to determining the psychology between home ground advantage. The sports psychologist can use these findings to help use the crowd as a motive for increased performance. Just recently in the news, there has been discussions that Subiaco Oval (with relevance to Australian Rules Football), has regained its perception of a formidable ground to play at for visiting sides, now that its home side the West Coast Eagles have won all their home games so far. This is not primarily because the Eagles do not have to travel, but that the tension derived from the composition of the crowd makes it almost fearful for opposing teams.
One of the first studies to document the characteristics of sports fans was conducted by Schurr, Ruble and Ellen (1985). Here, the research compared the characteristics of direct sport consumers and non-spectators.
