Vikki Krane

Using Ethnography in Applied Sport Psychology

The acceptance of qualitative research in applied sport psychology is growing steadily, yet there are continued calls for greater methodological diversity in this research. To this end, we offer ethnography to extend and enhance our understanding of applied sport psychology. Ethnography is aimed toward understanding the culture of a particular group from the perspective of the group members. The group culture, then, will lend insight into the behaviors, values, emotions, and mental states of group members. Ethnographers employ multiple methods to gain a comprehensive understanding of the social environment and perceptions of the members of the social group. In this paper, we discuss the epistemological and methodological foundations of ethnography. Then, using research examples related to applied sport psychology, we describe processes involved ethnographic research. Finally, we explore the issues of representation and legitimacy in ethnography.

Identity tensions in lesbian intercollegiate coaches.

Using social identity perspective, we investigated the experiences of 13 lesbian college coaches. Through semistructured interviews, the coaches revealed the daily identity tensions they experienced. There was constant negotiation between their social identities of “coach” and “lesbian.” The social context of intercollegiate womens athletics created a complex web that juxtaposed these identities against commanding social norms. The challenges these coaches faced ranged from doing what they believed was best for the well being of their athletes (e.g., fighting homonegativism) versus what was best for their professional well being (e.g., remaining silent). These coaches did not passively accept their fate; while they struggled with identity negotiation, they also found ways to counter the heterosexist atmosphere and create positive social change.

Whatever it Takes: Health Compromising Behaviors in Female Athletes

The power and performance model of sport stresses a sport ethic of doing “whatever it takes” to win (Coakley, 2004). Uncritical acceptance of this model may lead to various health-compromising behaviors. Employing achievement goal theory, we examine why female athletes may adopt the power and performance approach. An ego motivational climate and a strong social approval goal orientation may encourage girls and women to engage in unhealthy and risky behaviors in pursuit of success. Athletes in an ego-involving climate may be at risk of using their bodies as a machine, unhealthy eating, and steroid use. Athletes with a strong social approval orientation may engage in unhealthy behaviors, such as binge drinking and hazing, in their quest for acceptance by teammates, coaches, and parents.

Coping styles and self-reported measures of state anxiety and self-confidence

Abstract Four stress coping styles in intercollegiate golfers (N = 112) were differentiated based on low and high combinations of repressive defensiveness (scores on the Marlowe-Crowne Social Desirability Scale) and competitive trait anxiety (scores on the Sport Competition Anxiety Test). The results indicated biased responding on the Competitive State Anxiety Inventory-2 (CSAI-2) occurs only for repressors (high Marlowe-Crowne, low competitive trait anxiety). Repressors reported higher self-confidence and similar state anxiety as that reported by truly low anxious subjects (low Marlowe-Crowne, low competitive trait anxiety). High social desirability responders who were considered defensive high-anxious (high Marlowe-Crowne, high competitive trait anxiety) did not deny disturbing pre-competition cognitions. When predicting tournament performance with the CSAI-2 subscales, over twice as much variance was accounted for with repressors (assumed to have distorted responses) deleted compared to when all golfer...

Social psychological benefits of gay games participation: a social identity theory explanation.

Abstract Research examining sexual orientation in sport settings has been limited in scope and lacked theoretical frameworks. To extend this body of research, the current study was framed within social identity theory and examined the impact of Gay Games participation on: (a) social identity, self-esteem, and collective esteem; and (b) expected subsequent social change activities following the Games. One hundred and twenty-five lesbian and bisexual athletes competing in Gay Games V participated in this investigation. The athletes completed a demographic profile and an open-ended questionnaire that asked about their Gay Games experience as well as expected social change activities after the Games. A content analysis of the responses revealed themes consistent with social identity theory. Specifically, these individuals identified the role of the Gay Games on social categorization, personal and social identity, and self and collective esteem. Additionally, these women revealed that following the Gay Games t...

Creating a Positive Climate for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Youths

ISSN: 0730-3084 (Print) 2168-3816 (Online) Journal homepage: https://www.tandfonline.com/loi/ujrd20 Creating a Positive Climate for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Youths Heather Barber & Vikki Krane To cite this article: Heather Barber & Vikki Krane (2007) Creating a Positive Climate for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Youths, Journal of Physical Education, Recreation & Dance, 78:7, 6-52, DOI: 10.1080/07303084.2007.10598047 To link to this article: https://doi.org/10.1080/07303084.2007.10598047

Duct tape, icy hot & paddles: narratives of initiation onto US male sport teams

In the United States, initiation or hazing activities in high school and university sport are increasingly being recognized as a serious issue facing coaches and sport administrators. These events include humiliation, degradation or abuse of new team members, presumed to enhance team bonding. This study is grounded in Waldron and Kranes conceptual framework linking social goal orientation and overconformity to team norms. We conducted focus group interviews with nine former male high-school athletes examining their hazing experiences. A narrative approach to the data analysis was used to provide a comprehensive account of their combined experiences. The data were integrated into monologues describing experiences of being hazed, one positively perceived and one negatively perceived experience. A third monologue presents the perspective of the athlete doing the hazing. These stories highlight the perceived rationale and acceptance of hazing, the emotional toll of being hazed and the power dynamics that allow hazing to continue.

Conceptual and Methodological Considerations in Sport Anxiety Research: From the Inverted-U Hypothesis to Catastrophe Theory

Researchers in sport psychology have devoted much energy to understanding the elusive relationship between anxiety and athletic performance. As new theories are being forwarded in the sport anxiety literature, it is important that they be tested in conceptually and methodologically sound environments. The present review examines conceptual and methodological issues in sport anxiety research, especially focusing on the inverted-U hypothesis, multidimensional anxiety theory, and catastrophe theory. Issues discussed include the correlational versus causal nature of the inverted-U hypothesis; the lack of differentiation among anxiety-related terms such as anxiety, arousal, and stress; the need for a multidimensional conception of anxiety; the assumption that perceived physiological arousal is typically considered negative affect by researchers; the need to utilize appropriate measurement and operational definitions of performance; and the use of intraindividual anxiety scores. Statistical issues related to in...

Now that we all agree, let’s talk epistemology: a commentary on the invited articles

In this commentary we will address some common themes evident across articles in this special issue, and suggest that moving beyond the qualitative–quantitative distinction to epistemology is a more fruitful way to ‘reframe’ the discussion about quantitative or qualitative methods. We then provide some practical messages for readers of this special issue. We hope our thoughts and impressions will further the dialogue among all researchers interested in furthering our understanding of sport and exercise behaviour.

A sport odyssey

In sport and fitness, personal meanings of physicality are negotiated and contested, and many women are empowered by the self‐definition of physicality. Physically active women push their physical and mental limits. In doing so, they also construct and reconstruct personal identity and social conventions. Physicality offers a sense of protection and the perceived ability to ward off potential attack or heal past victimisation. In this personal tale, I employ hybridity, or multi‐genre writing styles, to shed light on the construction and negotiation of identities through physical activity and sport. In this paper, I insert my voice and use my experiences to reflect upon the social constructions of sport, gender and identity. I frame sport as an odyssey, a long wandering, in which my personal identities transform in reaction to changing personal, social and cultural circumstances.