I wonder if stories play a part here, by uncoupling “underdog” and “likely to lose” in people’s minds.
Since being disadvantaged makes winning more exciting and impressive, it’s extremely common in stories, real and fictional, to the point where when most people are asked to think of a victory, the chances are they’ll name an underdog victory. So being disadvantaged (in a way that feels narratively appropriate) might just straightforwardly make people expect you to win.
I wonder if stories play a part here, by uncoupling “underdog” and “likely to lose” in people’s minds.
Since being disadvantaged makes winning more exciting and impressive, it’s extremely common in stories, real and fictional, to the point where when most people are asked to think of a victory, the chances are they’ll name an underdog victory. So being disadvantaged (in a way that feels narratively appropriate) might just straightforwardly make people expect you to win.