PSYCHOLOGY MASTER'S THESIS ABSTRACT

Eileen Beres

Industrial/Organizational
May 1992
 

The Effect of Participating in a Specific Sport on Choosing a College Major
 

    This study examined the effect of females participating in a specific sport as part of their socialization process.  Specifically, the indirect effect of sports participation on choosing a college major was examined through its direct effect on both sex role identity and achievement motivation.  One hundred female college students completed a survey including items concerning demographics, sex role identity, sports participation, achievement motives and college major.  The results failed to show significant relations between (a) sport and sex role identity, (b) sport and competitive achievement motivation, (c) competitive achievement motivation and college major, and (d) sex role identity and college major.  A possible explanation for these results is that a third variable, such as mathematical ability, may be involved in these relations.  It is suggested that future research utilize a more representative sample to increase generalizability.

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