Scheduled for Poster Session: Socio-, Cross-Cultural, and Motivational Concerns Impacting Sport and School Contexts, Thursday, April 10, 2008, 1:15 PM - 2:45 PM, Convention Center: Exhibit Hall, Reseach Consortium Poster Sessions


Ethical Beliefs and Gamesmanship Attitudes of High School Athletes

Bradford N. Strand, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, George Ziegler, May-Port Cg School District, Mayville, ND and Erik Monson, Macalaster University, Minneapolis, MN

Ideally high school athletic participations would balance skill development with growth in sportsmanship and leadership abilities while competing to the best of one's ability. Athletes and coaches are expected to be role models with impeccable behavior while being on a winning team. This study evaluated gamesmanship traits and ethical values of high school athletes in a Midwest state. Two hundred and seventy-three athletes in grades 9-12 from 16 schools participated in this study. Participants voluntarily completed a 50-statement survey. Comparisons were drawn by gender and grade level and the 2004 national study by the Josephson Institute of Ethics. Cross tabs were used with percentage responses for each statement. A binomial test was used for comparison of the state data with the National data. A contingency chi-square test was utilized to evaluate each statement by gender and grade level. Statistical significance was set at p<.05. Statistical significance was found on 12 of the statements when comparing state participant responses with national participant responses. These 12 statements indicate more positive attitudes towards ethics and gamesmanship for state participants. When compared by grade level, only one statement showed significant statistical difference. When compared by gender, significance differences were found in 23 statements. For all 23 statement, female participants projected a more positive outlook toward ethics and gamesmanship than did male participants. These findings support previous research findings that suggest female athletes have more positive ethical beliefs than male athletes. However, these findings do not support previous research that suggests athletes become less morally reasoned the longer they participate in sport.
Keyword(s): coaching, high school issues, sport topics

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