Age Differences in Individuals' Cognitive and Behavioral Moral Functioning Responses in Male Soccer Teams

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine age differences on the cognitive and behavioral components of moral functioning (i.e., moral judgment, moral reasons, moral intention, and actual moral behavior) in soccer players, and to analyze the relationships between cognitive and behavioral components of moral functioning. Ninety-six male players participated in the study; their ages ranged from 8 to 25 years old and they were assigned to one of three age groups. All responded to a questionnaire designed to assess moral judgment, moral reasons, and moral intention. To assess moral behavior, each player was filmed during three games. Multivariate analyses of variance revealed significant differences in the four variables of interest as a function of age. Results of the multiple regression analysis also indicated that moral judgment and moral intention were significant predictors of moral behavior. These results were then discussed in relation to the “theory of game reasoning” (Shields & Bredemeier, 1995) and the current moral development literature.

This study was supported by grants from the International Federation of Football Associations (FIFA) and the University of Nice Sophia-Antipolis. The authors are grateful to the soccer athletes for their participation.

Notes

*p < .01.

* Significant correlations, p < .05