PhD: Psychosocial factors influencing prosocial and antisocial behaviour in sport

This project can be offered either on a full-time or a part-time basis. Please email the prospective supervisor for more details.

This project will investigate a range of psychosocial mechanisms thought to influence moral behaviour based upon Bandura’s (1991) Social Cognitive Theory of Moral Thought and Action. Two categories of behaviour will be investigated in the project: prosocial and antisocial. The psychosocial regulation of these behaviour will be studied in a range of team sports such as soccer, rugby, American football, ice hockey, field hockey, basketball, and netball. Qualitative and/or quantitative methodologies may be used in the project depending on the specific research questions being answered; the specific research questions to be addressed will be negotiated once the project commences.

Funding Notes

Funding Notes:
We welcome applications from Home/EU and overseas students. The University of Birmingham offers a number of competitive scholarships for students of the highest calibre. Further details are available at :
http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/students/fees/postgraduate/scholarships/index.aspx.

Students are also welcome to apply with their own funding for this project, either through their own person funds or by securing a scholarship.

Eligibility requirements: An Undergraduate Honours degree with a minimum classification of a 2.1 or equivalent and an English Language qualification for international students.

References

Bandura, A. (1991). Social cognitive theory of moral thought and action. In W.M. Kurtines & J.L. Gewirtz (Eds.), Handbook of moral behavior and development: Theory, research, and applications (Vol. 1, pp. 71-129). Hillsdale, NJ: Erlbaum.
Boardley, I. D., & Kavussanu, M. (2007). Development and validation of the Moral Disengagement in Sport Scale. Journal of Sport & Exercise Psychology, 29, 608–628.
Boardley, I.D., & Kavussanu, M. (2010). Effects of goal orientation and perceived value of toughness on antisocial behavior in soccer: The mediating role of moral disengagement. Journal of Sport & Exercise Psychology, 32, 176–192.
Boardley, I. D., & Kavussanu, M. (2011). Moral disengagement in sport. International Review of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 4, 93-108.