A proposed theoretical model to explain relative age effects in sport

Abstract

Exemplary scientific methods describe concepts and provide theories for further testing. For the field of relative age effects (RAEs) in sport, the scientific method appears to be limited to description. The purpose of this paper is to provide a theoretical model to explain RAEs in sport, which researchers can use to test the effects, as well as to generate new hypotheses and recommendations. Herein, we argue that social agents have the largest influence on RAEs. Specifically, we propose that parents influence RAEs through Matthew effects, coaches influence RAEs through Pygmalion effects and athletes influence RAEs through Galatea effects. Integrating these three theories, we propose a model that explains RAEs through these various social agents. This paper provides a theoretical foundation from which researchers can further understand, explain and eventually use to create policies aimed at limiting the negative effect of relative age in sport.

Keywords:

• Self-fulfilling prophecy
• Matthew effect
• Pygmalion effect
• Galatea effect
• relative age model
• youth sport

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Dr. Diane Ste-Marie and Dr. Dany MacDonald for their assistance in reviewing this manuscript prior to submission. This research was supported by a standard research grant from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC Grant # 410-2011-0472).

Notes

1. Though Rosenthal and Jacobson's (1968) results have been criticised (e.g. Elashoff & Snow, 1971), it is a seminal paper for the term and concept of Pygmalion effects, and thus, it is warranted in this section.