Miltiadis Proios

Development and validation of a questionnaire for the assessment of moral content judgment in sport

Abstract The present study aimed to develop and validate an instrument for the assessment of moral content judgments in sport and to provide for its content, construct, and criterion‐oriented validity. Two hundred ninety‐three athletes (males, n = 188; females, n = 105; mean age = 19.62 years) filled in three questionnaires: assessment of the moral content judgment (Moral Content Judgment in Sport Questionnaire; MCJSQ), assessment of dispositional goal orientation (Task and Ego Orientation in Sports Orientation Questionnaire; TEOSQ), and attitudes towards sportspersonship (Multidimensional Sportspersonship Orientation Scale; MSOS). A bivariate correlation predicted interrelations on a 24‐item scale. Factor analyses (exploratory and confirmatory) revealed an adequate fit in a five‐factor model. Internal consistency was high in four factors and moderate in one. A multivariate analysis of variance revealed differences in gender with regard to motive for decision making. Hierarchical regression analyses showed a positive relationship between task orientation and the subscales of normative order, fairness, social consequences, harmony‐serving consequences, and egoistic consequences, and a negative relationship between ego orientation and the subscales of normative order, fairness, and social consequences, providing evidence for the validity of the prediction. The five subscales of the MCJSQ correlated significantly with four of the scales of the MSOS (commitment, social convention, rules and officials, and opponent), supporting the concurrent validity of the MCJSQ. The results of the present study provided evidence for the reliability and validity of the MCJSQ

Moral Development and Form of Participation, Type of Sport, and Sport Experience:

The present study investigated aspects of moral development in sport, according to the form of participation, type of sport, and sport experience. 510 participants, 14 to 49 years of age (M = 24.9, SD = 8.3) who came from organized competitive sports included athletes (n = 327), referees (n = 138), and coaches (n = 45) in football (n = 161), handball (n = 198), and basketball (n = 150). Years of sport experience ranged from 1 to 6, 7 to 14, and 15 to 30 years of participation in sports. The Defining Issues Test was given; analysis showed no significant differences in development of moral reasoning among participants across different types of sports, forms of participation, and years of experience in sport.

Age and Education in Moral Judgment of Participants in Team Sports

The present aim was to investigate the effect of age and education on the moral reasoning of the same 535 individuals in sports for whom nature of sport experience was reported. All 535 participants (M age = 24.9 yr., SD = 8.3) were involved in sports at the time of the study as athletes (n = 342), referees (n = 145), or coaches (n = 48), and had a wide range of education. Analysis of variance of scores on the Defining Issues Test of Rest showed moral judgment in sports differs significantly amongst different age groups (F5,510 = 5.37, p < .001) and amounts of education (F4,511 = 6.24, p < .001). Generally, with more education, higher moral judgment can be expected. It is apparent that moral development in sport is related to age and education, as also holds for a wider social setting.

Relationship Between Discrete Emotions and Moral Content Judgment in Sport Settings

The purpose of the present study was to provide new knowledge on the relation between emotions and morality by investigating the relation between discrete emotions and moral content judgment in sports. The participants were 363 athletes (179 male, 184 female) who were involved in competitive sport at the time of data collection. Their age ranged from 18 to 23 years (M = 20.01, SD = 1.38). All participants were undergraduate sport-science students at a Greek university and were involved in several sports. The subjects filled in two questionnaires: Moral Content Judgment in Sport Questionnaire and Sport Emotion Questionnaire. The results supported a rather vague relationship between discrete emotions and moral content judgment.

Experiences from active membership and participation in decision-making processes and age in moral reasoning and goal orientation of referees.

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of experiences of active membership and participation in decision-making processes and age on moral reasoning and goal orientations of referees in sport. The sample consisted of 148 referees of whom 56 judged soccer, 55 basketball, and 37 handball. Their ages ranged from 17 to 50 years (M = 36.6, SD = 7.4). Of the total number of referees, 8.3% have no experiences from active membership and participation in decision-making processes in organizations (social, athletic, political), 53.1% were simply active members, and 38.6% were involved in decision-making in their respective organizations. A two-way multivariate analysis of variance showed an interaction between experiences and age on moral reasoning and goal orientation of referees.

An approach of the moral disengagement through the moral content judgment

ABSTRACT The goal of the present study was the best understanding of the development of mechanisms of moral disengagement. Participants were 281 athletes (males, n = 133, and females, n = 148) all involved in competitive sport (teams and individuals). Their ages ranged from 13 to 23 years (M = 15.01, SD = 2.29), while their experience ranged from 1 to15 years (M = 5.42, SD = 3.13). The participants filled out two questionnaires: the Moral Disengagement in Sport Scale (MDSS) and the Moral Content Judgment in Sport Questionnaire (MCJSQ). Results revealed significant differences in gender and a negative correlation between the three mechanisms of moral disengagement (advantageous comparison, non-responsibility, and attribution of blame) with age. Findings also revealed that the mechanisms of moral disengagement relationship with elements of moral content judgment was positive with egoistic utilitarianism/consequences and negative with fairness.

Development and validation of the Moral Orientation of Students in Physical Education Questionnaire (MOSPEQ)

The purpose of the present study was to develop and validate an instrument assessing the moral orientation of physical education students. Three types of validity (content, construct, and criterion oriented) were used. Two hundred and sixty-nine physical education students (males n = 128 and females n = 141; M age = 14.94) filled in 3 questionnaires: moral orientation assessment (Moral Orientation Students in Physical Education Questionnaire [MOSPEQ]), dispositional goal orientation assessment (Task and Ego Orientation in Sports Orientation Questionnaire [TEOSQ]), and attitudes towards sportspersonship (Multidimensional Sportspersonship Orientation Scale [MSOS]). MOSPEQ demonstrated both positive reliability and strong factorial validity. Construct validity research yielded predicted relations within predisposition for the achievement of goal orientation and behaviors characterized by fairness. We discuss the use of the scale to measure moral orientation in physical education students.

Measure Athletes’ Volition—Short: Evidences for Construct Validity and Reliability

The Measure Athletes’ Volition consists of 23 items that measure six elements of volitional competences. The purpose of the present study was to examine whether a subset of these items could form a short version of the scale; to provide evidence for the structural validity and internal consistency of the short version; and to test validity issues of the new scale. A total of 831 individuals from three different samples completed the long version of the scale. Results indicated that the short version consisted of 15 items that measured volitional competences of persistence, expediency, and purposefulness. This scale had acceptable internal consistency and construct validity (differences between groups and convergent and concurrent validity). In conclusion, the short version of the scale is a reliable and valid measure for volitional competences.

Perceived Locus of Control in Rhythmic Gymnastics by Coaches and Judges

Abstract Introduction: Rhythmic Gymnastics (RG) is a sport with subjective judgment. Locus of control is the perception that an action or the result of an action is either on one’s control or out of one’s control. Purpose of the present study was to examine the way coaches and judges perceive the degree of control a coach has on athletes’ success in through their roles. Seventy-seven coaches and judges from Greece were the participants of the study. Perceived Locus of Control general in life and Perceived Locus of Control in athletic success were measured by questionnaires. Results showed that coaches and judges perceive that athletic success in RG is due basically to internal factors. Judges scored higher than coaches in internal Locus of Control in RG and judges with previous coaching experience scored lower in Locus of Control Chance Global than judges with no coaching experience and coaches. Locus of control in RG could be generally be predicted by locus of control globally.

Estimating internal consistency reliability of the DESK 3–6 for 4-year-old Greek children

The purpose of this study was to investigate the reliability of Dortmund Developmental Screening for Preschools (DESK) 3–6 for children 4-years of age through the use of methods such are internal consistency reliability, test–retest and Cronbach’s alpha, as well as check its suitability on a different sample. Participants were 413 preschool children (206 males and 207 females) with ages ranging from 48 to 59 months. The DESK was used. Results revealed that the original version of DESK 3–6 for children 4-years of age shows problems in internal consistency, adequate Cronbach alpha and test–retest coefficients. It is concluded that the present instrument appears to carry enough data to justify its use on other samples as well.