A Study of the Unity of Sports Teams: Development of a Scale and Examination of Related Factors

Abstract

IntroductionGroup cohesiveness is most critical social psychological construct for sport teams (e.g.. Carron et al., 2005). Group cohesiveness is defined as dynamic process that is reflected in tendency for a group stick together and remain united in pursuit of its instrumental objectives and/or for satisfaction of member affective needs (Carron et al., 1998).In particular, relationship between group cohesiveness and team sports performance is one of most interesting topics within sports psychology research (Cotterill, 2012). As an example. Carron et al. (2002) found two concepts have consistent positive relationships and reciprocity.Nevertheless, number of surveying Japanese research on group cohesiveness of sport teams is small. So far, few studies were particularly conducted using scales with sufficient reliability and validity. Ucliida et al. (2011) emphasized that development of a scale that can appropriately evaluate group cohesiveness of sports teams will increasingly become indispensable in Japan. Therefore, development of a scale measure group cohesiveness specializing in Japanese sports teams is an urgent task.However, despite a concept of group cohesiveness is understood as a multidimensional structure based on Carron et al. (1985), there lias barely been any research conducted in Japan that could serve as its foundation. Therefore, it would be difficult comprehensively perceive and evaluate concept of group cohesiveness. In keeping with above, it is effective attain new findings that can serve as foundations of group cohesiveness research by launching studies focused on subordinate concept of group cohesiveness.Concerning subordinate concept, Forsyth's (2006, 2010) new group cohesiveness model provides a thought-provoking suggestion. Forsyth (2006, 2010) conducted a meta-analysis of major research defining group cohesiveness, based on several findings from group dynamics research studies. He then proposed that group cohesiveness is a concept that unites three collective characteristics of teamwork, unity, and attraction (Fig-1)-On basis of Forsyth's (2006, 2010) model, no research has focused on unity. Furthermore, Arai et al. (2013) indicated necessity of quantitatively evaluating unity in teams. Thus, it is of vital importance create a scale that can evaluate unity of a sports team.Therefore, this study will develop a scale that evaluates unity of a sports team, and clarify related factors of unity. Preceding this, this paper will first define concept of unity pertaining sports settings, since it is not possible render a uniform definition of unity from a sports science perspective. Forsyth (2006, 2010) defined unity as groups are cohesive social arrangements of individuals that perceivers, in some cases, consider be unified wholes. According Homna (2011), unity is state of group being united and its awareness. These two definitions exhibit commonalities such as the properties of target are group, and its unity or cohesiveness serve as subjects when summarized. Therefore, this study will consider sports setting perspective and ultimately define unity as to feel that a team is united as one.Concerning development of scale, Ohlert (2012) stated that it is necessary include athletes and teams specializing in co-active sports and not just interactive sports. Kawazu et al. (2012) argued that an evaluation scale with high versatility covering a wide range of athletic events is required. Therefore, it is necessary develop a scale that can be applicable a variety of athletic events, as well as athletes of various age groups, from both co-active and interactive sports. Furthermore, reducing burden on participants is a particularly important issue (Namikawa et al., 2012). This burden can be minimized by reducing number of questionnaire items on scale, ensuring that participants' response times will be shorter. …