The relationship among just world beliefs, morality beliefs, and the on-court behavior of athletes.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship among just world beliefs, morality beliefs, and the on-court behavior of athletes. The sub-problems of this study were to determine if there were differences in just world beliefs or morality beliefs based on: (a) age, (b) gender, (c) residence, and (d) player's roles. The varsity male and female basketball players of Centre-Lost Springs High School and Rose Hill High School served as participants (N=50). During the preseason the participants were asked to answer a Just World Scale and a Hahm-Beller Values Choice Inventory. At the conclusion of the season, the head coach of each team (N=4) answered a behavioral checklist for each athlete on his/her team. Data were analyzed through the use of a Pearson Product Moment correlation coefficient and an Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). All data were analyzed at the p<.05 level of significance. The correlation coefficient showed no relationship among just world scores and morality scores (R=-.003), just world scores and behavior scores (R=.154), or morality scores and behavior scores (R=.279). An ANOVA showed no significance difference between just world scores and: (a) age (F=1.54, p=.21), (b) gender (F=1.66, p=.20), (c) residence (F=.05, p=.82), and (d) player's roles (F=1.02, p=.20). Also no significant difference was found between morality scores and: (a) age (F=1.76, p=.82), (b) gender (F=3.21, p=.08), (c) residence (F=.38, p=.58), and (d) player's roles (F=.71, p=.40).