A comparison of self-concept in the "normal environment" and a competitive athletic situation

Abstract

The researcher began with a fundamental question: Are the personality traits of basketball players in a "normal environment"--the individual's self-concept outside of competitive athletics--different from the individual's self-concept when involved in competitive athletics?The method employed in this study was to use self-administering scales. These consisted of self-descriptive statements that the subject used to portray his own picture of himself. The Fitts Tennessee Self-Concept Scale was used to measure the self-concept of the individual in his "normal environment." A paraphrased scale developed by the author was used to measure the individual's self-concept as a basketball player. Fifty-five high school male basketball players from a large midwestern city completed the two scales.The following results were indicated: (1) the physical self is either more important or at least judged better in the "normal environment" than in athletic competition; (2) the family self in the "normal environment" was significantly more important than in athletic competition; and (3) the social self in athletic competition was significantly more important than in the "normal environment."