2009 Student Research Conference:
22nd Annual Student Research Conference

Sports Participation and Social Deviance
Lee A. Flagg
Dr. Jennifer R. Hurst, Faculty Mentor

This study was designed to test Travis Hirschi's Social Control Theory, which argues that involvement in legitimate activities, such as sports, inhibits deviance. A questionnaire was developed to ask respondents about health-related states and behaviors (frequency and severity of alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use; violence; and mental health), as well as demographic information. Existing groups (athletes and non-athletes) were compared based on their responses using an independent t-test. Participants included both men and women and all age levels, as long as respondents were above the age of 18. If this theory were supported, athletes would engage in risky or deviant behavior significantly less of the time and would be significantly less severe.

Keywords: crime, delinquency, deviance, drugs, mental health, physical activity, sport, violence

Topic(s):Interdisciplinary
Exercise Science
Sociology/Anthropology

Presentation Type: Poster

Session: 14-4
Location: PML
Time: 4:15

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