Open AccessDevelopment of a Multi-Dimensional Scale to Measure Professional Athletes as Role Models
Author(s) -
Doyeop Kim,
Koo GiYoung,
Minkil Kim,
Stephen Shin,
Anthony W. Dixon
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
journal of health, sports, and kinesiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2767-5874
pISSN - 2692-9864
DOI - 10.47544/johsk.2021.2.4.20
Subject(s) - athletes , scale (ratio) , psychology , perception , empirical research , order (exchange) , applied psychology , measure (data warehouse) , social psychology , computer science , medicine , physical therapy , mathematics , geography , cartography , database , statistics , finance , neuroscience , economics
Previous studies have indicated that young students who play sports look up to professional athletes and perceive these athletes as their role models. However, empirical studies that examine such perceptions comprehensively have not been conducted. In order to fill this gap in the literature, the current study developed a multi-dimensional scale to measure college student athletes’ attitudes toward professional athlete role models. The eight-factor sports role model scale has 40 items. The results of this study indicate that student athletes observe and emulate the eight dimensions of their sports role model’s behavior on and off the court in order to become like that role model. Such findings support social learning theory in the sport management discipline.