The Psychology Behind the 'Look Good, Feel Good, Play Good' Philosophy (2024)

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We’ve heard it before. It’s an accepted truth in sports: If you look good, you’ll play “good.” Whether you’re sporting a new pair of shoes andmatching socks, or throwing on a slick new jersey, your performance automatically improves.

Sounds great in theory — and we’ve all experienced a boost at some point in our playing lives — but are there facts to back up that looking good translates to anything on the field?

We spoke with Massachusetts General Hospital clinical psychologist Jonathan Jenkins, who played lacrosse at Division III Guilford College (N.C.), and he shed some light on the phenomenon. According to Jenkins, what you wear — and conversely what your opponent wears — can affect your performance on the lacrosse field.

In the world of sports psychology, the “look good, play good” idea boils down to two terms: enclothed cognition and self-efficacy.

Enclothed cognition is the influence that clothing — what you are wearing or what someone else may be wearing — has on a person’s emotions. Clothes have a symbolic meaning, and a person can have different physical experiences with different articles of clothing.

Confused? Jenkins broke down a scenario on the lacrosse field.

“When you were playing lacrosse and you’re wearing your practice pinnie versus your game jersey, there seems to be a difference of energy for when you’re wearing that game jersey,” he said. “You’re playing the same sport and doing the same activities, but because you’re actually putting your game jersey on, you feel a little bit more hype and swagger in your step.”

The Psychology Behind the 'Look Good, Feel Good, Play Good' Philosophy (2024)

FAQs

The Psychology Behind the 'Look Good, Feel Good, Play Good' Philosophy? ›

In the world of sports psychology, the “look good, play good” idea boils down to two terms: enclothed cognition and self-efficacy. Enclothed cognition is the influence that clothing — what you are wearing or what someone else may be wearing — has on a person's emotions.

What is the look good feel good theory? ›

The concept of "look good feel good" is not just a marketing slogan, but it is backed up by scientific evidence. When we look good, we tend to feel good, and this is not just limited to the way we feel about our physical appearance, but also our emotional well-being.

What does "look good, feel good, play good" mean? ›

In essence, show up to whatever it is you're trying to win by looking your most confident; with this, the feeling of excitement will come, and before you can blink, you've won. By striving to “play good” you are trusting in your abilities to compete and show up. Playing good takes willingness, and drive.

Is it true if you look good you feel good? ›

You should know that there is a connection between feeling good and looking good, as the latter makes you feel confident, brave, powerful, and healthier. Some may perceive it as shallow if you want to look good with what you're wearing, that it should be attractive and kempt.

How to look good and perform better? ›

In that spirit, here are some habits you may want to adopt to live a longer, healthier life and to look your best.
  1. Drink More Water. ...
  2. Learn to Meditate. ...
  3. Eat More Superfoods. ...
  4. Massage Your Face. ...
  5. Get Lean and Mean (But Don't Skimp on Healthy Fat) ...
  6. Manage Facial Problems Naturally. ...
  7. Help Hair Naturally.

Where did look good feel good come from? ›

Former NFL superstar Deion Sanders famously coined the phrase, “If you look good, you feel good.

What is the feel good do good effect in psychology? ›

Answer and Explanation: The feel good-do good phenomenon refers to the tendency for people to be more willing to help or aid others when they feel good about themselves or are already in a good mood.

Is look good play good a real thing? ›

In the world of sports psychology, the “look good, play good” idea boils down to two terms: enclothed cognition and self-efficacy. Enclothed cognition is the influence that clothing — what you are wearing or what someone else may be wearing — has on a person's emotions.

What is the link between looking good and feeling good? ›

Looking good is not the only way to feel good, but feeling good helps you look good. If you feel contented and more loving towards yourself, you start to appreciate yourself more. You'll thrive on being or maintaining the better version of yourself without the harsh negative thoughts.

Who said look good, feel good, play good? ›

It's not how you feel, it's how you look! Hall of Fame cornerback Deion Sanders coined the phrase, “If you look good, you feel good, and if you feel good, you play good.” What initially gave off the appearance of just another one of “Primetime's” classic arrogance may actually hold merit.

Why can good looks bring happiness? ›

One study found that those who were considered good-looking in their high school yearbook experienced greater well-being decades later. Being good-looking may produce more self-confidence and therefore greater warmth in a person, leading to better interpersonal interactions.

How to look stunning every day? ›

5 Easy Tips To Look Presentable And Chic Everyday
  1. Step 1: Don't even think about skipping showers!
  2. Step 2: Top it off with a good fragrance.
  3. Step 3: A trusty skincare routine is key.
  4. Step 4: A little makeup goes a long way.
  5. Step 5: Choose a durable hairstyle.
Apr 24, 2024

What is the feeling good theory? ›

Rather, the feels good theory holds that the sensation simply feels good overall. Hence, there is nothing to be distracted by.

What is the feel good do good theory? ›

According to this theory, you are more likely to help other people when you are already in a good mood. So, if you just got an "A" on the big exam and a friend just gave you a great gift, you are more likely to help someone else that you might not if you weren't in such a good mood.

Who said look good feel good? ›

It's not how you feel, it's how you look! Hall of Fame cornerback Deion Sanders coined the phrase, “If you look good, you feel good, and if you feel good, you play good.” What initially gave off the appearance of just another one of “Primetime's” classic arrogance may actually hold merit.

Why is the James Lange theory good? ›

An obvious strength is that James and Lange were the first individuals to consider the causes of our emotion labels (although Darwin had already discussed emotions as adaptive in animals). In addition, they were the first to speak of bodily and behavior changes as separate causes of an emotion.

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