Athletics, Activity and Personality: A Review of the Literature

An attempt was made to review the empirical work concerning the relationship between athletics and various personality factors. While no intellectual differences were noted, a greater motivation to achieve was noted among athletes. Generally, the personality features of athletes pointed to greater social adjustment and ascendancy, and higher emotional stability. On the basis of these studies alternative methodology is suggested, such as individual interviews in depth, and facets of the area are brought into focus, such as body concern and the vicissitudes of aggression, which heretofore seemed either absent from discussion or too implicit. An attempt was made to separate conceptually athletic participation from the physical activity itself; and the point was underlined that the psychology of team membership may be different in important ways from the influence of physical activity on individuals. Because of the widely acknowledged importance of physical activity for both physical and psychological development, the urgency of continued careful study in this area is underscored.