Does Home Field Advantage Really Exist?

Home field advantage is no myth, according to one Indiana University scientist.

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Ben Motz, a Cognitive Scientist at IU, says he will be using fantasy football as a tool for psychology students. He says home field advantage shows up in several ways, including a psychological impact on the players who don't want to lose at home.

"The thing that they're saying about the loss is that they failed to defend their home stadium and stuff. Here at IU we've got the rock and you're supposed to defend the rock," Motz says.

Motz says there's also a physical effect measured by increased testosterone in the saliva in players defending their home turf of playing a big rival. Motz says studies have shown the home crowd can also have an impact on officials which could cause them to make calls in favor of the home team.

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