College Students' Perceptions of the Purposes of Sports

Abstract

To examine perceptions of the desirable purpose of athletics by men and women 162 college men, 84 of whom participated in intercollegiate athletics, and 190 college women, 81 of whom participated in intercollegiate athletics, were administered the Purpose of Sport Questionnaire. Applying a two-way multivariate analysis of variance to their mean responses gender was significant. Post hoc analysis indicated that men believed enhanced competitiveness, social status, and high-status career opportunities to be more important purposes of sport participation than did women. Participants in intercollegiate athletics had significantly higher perceptions of enhanced competitiveness, social status, and high-status career opportunities as more important purposes of sport participation than nonparticipants. However, nonparticipants in intercollegiate athletics believed that acquisition of attributes that make one a good citizen and enhancement of self-esteem were more important purposes of sport participation.