Differences in attitude toward the concepts "male," "female," "male athlete," and "female athlete".

Abstract

Abstract Attitudes of seventh-grade, tenth-grade, and university male and female students (N = 264) were assessed, using a semantic differential technique, toward the concepts “male,” “female,” “male athlete,” and “female athlete.” Factor analysis of variance (nested design), with repeated measures over the four concepts of the evaluative dimension, revealed that the subjects were more positive in attitude toward those concepts identified as athletic and female. Multifactor analysis of variance indicated a hierarchy of approval which placed the concept of the female athlete in the most favored position, followed by female, male athlete, and male. Post-hoc analysis (using Scheffe α = .001) showed significant differences between all four concepts with these exceptions: between female athlete and female and between female and male athlete. Perceptions of activity-potency established the male athlete as most active-potent, followed by male, female athlete, and female.