Beyond the Individual: Sources of Attitudes Towards Rule Violation in Sport

Abstract

Today, certain rule-violating behaviours, such as doping, are considered to be an issue of concern for the sport community. This paper underlines and examines the affective dimensions involved in moral responses to, and attitudes towards, rule-violating behaviours in sport. The key role played by affective processes underlying individual-level moral judgement has already been implicated by recent developments in moral psychological theories, and by neurophysiological studies. However, we propose and discuss the possibility of affective processes operating on a social level which may influence athletes' individual-level attitudes. We conclude that one-sided focus on individual ruleviolating behaviour and individual sanctions may prove to be ineffective in coming to terms with the issue. In this regard we recommend a twofold approach by addressing underlying social dimensions, along with preventive measures through affect-oriented education.

Cheating is the Name of the Game - Conventional Cheating Arguments Fail to Articulate Moral Responses to Doping

“…It could be argued that the athlete makes the ultimate decision; hence, she bears the ultimate moral responsibility. Nevertheless, as we have argued elsewhere (Atry et al, 2012), there are other factors beyond the individual athletes that may influence their rule-violating behavior, a point which has also been indicated by empirical studies about athletes' decisions to dope (Hardie et al, 2010, pp. 63-64).…”

An Alternative Solution to Lifting the Ban on Doping: Breaking the Payoff Matrix of Professional Sport by Shifting Liability Away from Athletes

“…Lance's point is that in an environment in which everybody is doping, there still is somebody who is faster than the others. This seems also to be the final take-home message of the movie, and is supported by empirical data around our reactive attitudes of blame and resentment for doping in professional sport (Atry 2012;. The movie ends on the notes of Leonard Cohen's immortal song "Everybody knows", and with an unanswered question: If everybody knew about the Program in cycling, then is Lance Armstrong alone to blame?…”

An Alternative Solution to Lifting the Ban on Doping: Breaking the Payoff Matrix of Professional Sport by Shifting Liability Away from Athletes

“…This seems also to be the final take-home message of the movie, and is supported by empirical data around our reactive attitudes of blame and resentment for doping in professional sport (Atry 2012;. The movie ends on the notes of Leonard Cohen's immortal song "Everybody knows", and with an unanswered question: If everybody knew about the Program in cycling, then is Lance Armstrong alone to blame?…”

“…Atry and co-authors have developed the concept of "emotion cultures" or "emotion subcultures" in sport as social-affective states that have normative influence on individual athletes (Atry et al, 2012). These "emotion cultures" do not involve only individual athletes, but also other stakeholders in sport (e.g.…”