A 21st-Century Framework for Character Formation in Sports

Abstract

The value of athletics in character development has been anecdotally touted for centuries, but the reality is that sporting environments have regularly failed to achieve the potentials of moral education. The shared physical and mental demands of sports combined with the intensity with which much of society approaches competition makes the playing field a unique venue for both the observation and teaching of dynamic, virtuous behavior. Considering modern findings in the fields of cognitive science, social psychology, and behavioral neuroscience in conjunction with rich philosophical thinking of the past provides insights to drive sports-based character education into this century. In this article we present a framework for character education in sports that examines the sociocultural influences, emotional and cognitive responses, and self-regulation skills throughout the moral decision-making process on the playing field. Each level of this model provides insights for athletic educators navigating both prosocial and antisocial behaviors in sport. Beyond considering sport as a venue for character development it is also valuable to acknowledge the potential for character to improve athletic performance. This interacting relationship not only adds value to character education initiatives but also provides additional opportunities for creating a strong community belief system around character. Creating impactful student-athlete character education environments is challenging, yet sport educational environments that are consciously shaped and consistently supportive can succeed.