Dissertation

A conceptual analysis of character development in sport

Hodge, Kenneth Peter

1988

Overview

Sport advocates have suggested that athletic participation cultivates moral development, sportsmanship, self-reliance, and courage, to name but a few \"desirable\" character traits commonly associated with the sport experience. Yet, the empirical evidence to support these claims is fragmented and less than convincing. A need existed, therefore, to examine the assumption that sport builds character, and this needed to be addressed from both a conceptual and an empirical perspective. The primary purpose of this study was to resolve the definitional and theoretical limitations of previous research in this area. To accomplish this objective an investigation was conducted in three interrelated phases. In Phase 1 an exhaustive conceptual analysis of character was conducted within the social psychological literature. Relevant writings from the fields of philosophy, sociology, cultural anthropology, and psychoanalysis were also reviewed. Phase 2 utilized the Partial-Structure Paradigm of Social Cognition (Turiel, 1978, 1983) and focused on establishing conceptual linkages among each of the elements of character identified in Phase 1 (i.e., morality, ego-identity, psychosocial maturity, autonomy-assertiveness). Theoretical and operational definitions of character were formulated and a Conceptual Framework of Character Development was constructed. With the conceptual framework of character development in hand, Phase 3 focused on applying the framework to a conceptual analysis of character development in sport--that is, \"Does Sport Build Character?\" The major themes that emerged from this analysis were that sport exhibits limited potential for mature character development as it is presently practiced, and that the major factors influencing the direction of the effect of participation in sport are the social environment created by adult leaders and the structural limitations of organized sport itself. The \"type\" of character developed through the sport experience does not appear to represent the \"autonomous, moral, prosocial\" character that sport advocates would have us believe. Instead, it is concluded that sport, as it presently practiced, contributes to the development of a \"bureaucratic/marketing\" character orientation (Fromm, 1949; Sage, 1978). Clearly, there are a number of benefits derived from this character orientation, yet it does appear to also set limits on the athlete's ability to function effectively as an autonomous, moral, and self-reliant individual. The implications of this character orientation are discussed and future research directions are forwarded.

• Publisher: ProQuest Dissertations & Theses
• Subject: Developmental psychology / Physical education / Social psychology
• ISBN: 9798206254990