DEVELOPMENT AND VALIDATION OF SPORTS SUPERSTITION ATTITUDE SCALE: EXAMINING THE INFLUENCES OF SUPERSTITION ON ATHLETES’ BEHAVIOR

Authors

  • Wen-Chuan Chuang Physical Education and Health Center, National Kaohsiung University of Hospitality and Tourism, Taiwan
  • Frank J. H. Lu Department of Physical Education, Chinese Culture University, Taiwan
  • Bin-Bin Fang School of Physical Education, Quanzhou Normal University, China
  • Bin Chen Department of Public Physical Education, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, China
  • Zhiyang Zhang School of Physical Education, Fujian Polytechnic Normal University, China
  • Diane L. Gill Department of Kinesiology, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, USA

Keywords:

supernatural beliefs, misattribution, athletic identity, lucky charms, uncertainty hypothesis

Abstract

Superstition exists in every culture, and particularly in sports. This study aimed to develop a reliable and valid Sports Superstition Attitude Scale (SSAS) and test the influences of superstition on athletes’ behavior. Study #1 developed an initial SSAS draft and examined content validity and reliability. Study #2 examined SSAS factorial structure and construct validity. Study #3 tested hypothesized relationships among athletic identity, locus of control, superstition, and fear of failure. Results found by SSAS comprised three components: ritual and taboo, lucky charms, and folk culture, and showed appropriate construct validity and reliability. Theoretical model examination found that athletic identity and external control interact with superstition to predict fear of failure. We concluded that the 15-item three-factor SSAS is a reliable and valid sport-specific superstition measure that can be used in future studies. We suggest future studies examine how psychosocial factors influence athletes’ behavior and superstition. Limitations and suggestions for future study are also discussed.

Keywords: supernatural beliefs, misattribution, athletic identity, lucky charms, uncertainty hypothesis

Author Biographies

Wen-Chuan Chuang, Physical Education and Health Center, National Kaohsiung University of Hospitality and Tourism, Taiwan

General Education Center, associate professor

Bin-Bin Fang, School of Physical Education, Quanzhou Normal University, China

School of Physical Education, instructor

Bin Chen, Department of Public Physical Education, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, China

Department of Public Physical Education, instructor

Zhiyang Zhang, School of Physical Education, Fujian Polytechnic Normal University, China

School of Physical Education, instructor

Diane L. Gill, Department of Kinesiology, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, USA

Department of Kinesiology, professor

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Published

2024-07-04

How to Cite

Chuang, W.-C. ., Lu, F. J. H., Fang, B.-B. ., Chen, B., Zhang, Z. ., & Gill, D. L. (2024). DEVELOPMENT AND VALIDATION OF SPORTS SUPERSTITION ATTITUDE SCALE: EXAMINING THE INFLUENCES OF SUPERSTITION ON ATHLETES’ BEHAVIOR. Kinesiology, 56(1), 135–144. Retrieved from https://hrcak.srce.hr/ojs/index.php/kinesiology/article/view/27437

Issue

Vol. 56 No. 1 (2024)

Section

Articles

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