Eldon E. Snyder

Family Influence and Involvement in Sports

Abstract The purpose of this study was threefold: (1) to operationalize sports involvement into behavioral, affective, and cognitive dimensions; (2) to replicate previous studies where age, education, occupation, and sex were used as correlates of participation in sports; and (3) to extend previous research by analyzing family influence as a predictor of sports involvement. Data for the study were collected by a mailed questionnaire to a systematic probability sample drawn from the City Directory of Toledo, Ohio. Findings of the study, with sex as the control variable, indicated the value of operationalizing sports involvement into component dimensions. Replication of previous studies with the more refined indicators of involvement suggest the need to modify previous findings. The family influence variables, including both the family of orientation and procreation, were predictive of sports involvement for both sexes.

Women Athletes and Aspects of Psychological Well-Being and Body Image.

Abstract The dependent variables in the present study included measures of psychological well-being and body image. Analyses were made of (1) women athletes and nonathletes and, (2) women gymnasts and basketball players. The women athletes had higher scores than the nonathletes on both measures of psychological well-being and body image. The gymnasts had higher scores on the psychological well-being items than the basketball players but these findings were not statistically significant and the differences between the two sports on the measures of body image were inconclusive. The findings of this study raise questions about the negative stereotypes regarding women athletes. Some evidence also suggests that stereotyped differences between sports by women are breaking down.

Socialization into Sport: An Exploratory Path Analysis

Abstract This paper formulates a model of the socialization process by which persons become involved in sports. The model focuses on interpersonal influences within both the family of orientation and that of procreation. Data were collected from a random sample of the adult population in a mid-western metropolitan area. The model was able to account for approximately one-half of the variance in sports involvement among the persons included in the sample.

Identity and Commitment to the Teacher Role.

S ociologists in the United States show an increasing interest in methods of teaching, curricular innovations, and resources for teaching. These concerns will be of little consequence, however, if the individual instructor lacks a commitment to the teaching role. Drawing upon the framework of symbolic interactionism, we highlight several elements of commitment with the expectation that this understanding may in turn be used to encourage a greater commitment to the role of teacher. The concept of commitment is amenable to analysis with a symbolic interactionist framework. Embedded within interactionism are three foci: Human beings act toward things on the basis of subjective meanings; the meanings of such things are derived from social interaction; and these meanings are handled in, and modified through, an interpretive process in coping with objects (Blumer, 1969: 2).

The relative effects of health and income on life satisfaction.

The relative effects of health and income on life satisfaction were analyzed using data collected in three recent national surveys. Financial situation was a slightly stronger predictor of life satisfaction for persons under age sixty-five, whereas health condition had a stronger impact on the life satisfaction of persons over age sixty-four. An attempt was made to quantify the relative impact of health and income on life satisfaction through an analysis of conjoint influence with contingency tables.

Correlates of Participation in Adult Recreational Sports.

ABSTRACTThis study basically involves an analysis of factors associated with physical activity as a lifelong leisure activity. The ultimate objective of this type of research is to identify variabl...

Socialization Comparisons of Adolescent Female Athletes and Musicians

Abstract The purpose of this paper was to compare the social background characteristics and psychological attributes of high school girls who were participating in interscholastic athletics and music (band or orchestra). The findings showed a clear correlation between selective parental encouragement and participation in these two extracurricular activities. Moreover, the findings showed no evidence of psychological stress among the female athletes in comparison to the musicians.

Athletic Dressing Room Slogans as Folklore: A Means of Socialization

Sports and athletic contests are an important social and prestige granting activity within the context of school systems, particularly at the secondary school level (Coleman, 1961. 1965; Snyder, 1969). These activities also represent a potential medium of socialization whereby cultural values become internalized (Helanko, 195 ~; Cowell, 1960: Kenvon, 1968; Schafter and Armer, 1968; Ulrich, 1968; Snyder, 1970). Roberts and Sutton-Smith (1962, pp. 181-182) view games as &dquo;just one part of a cultural participation scale that varies from dreams at one end to full-scale cultural behavior at the other. At the beginning of childhood there are

Work Orientation, Meaning of Leisure and Mental Health

ABSTRACTThis paper is focused on the subjective meanings attached to leisure activities. The interest, then, is on the affective or attitudinal level rather than overt leisure behavior forms. This ...

High School Athletes and Their Coaches: Educational Plans and Advice.

Data gathered from high school basketball coaches and players indicate that the coach is a significant other in advising players about their future educational and occupational plans. Moderate positive correlations exist between advice given by the coach about whether and where to attend college and the players educational plans after high school. Additionally, many players (perceive their coach as influential to them, but this influence is primarily a function of the coachs advice.