Abstract

The purpose of this investigation was to determine if there were significant differences in personality traits between three groups of black female college students (n=100). The students were classified as: a) successful intercollegiate basketball players (n=20); b) unsuccessful basketball players (n=40); and c) non-athletes (n=40) from otherwise similar characteristics. The Cattell Sixteen Personality Factor Questionnaire was administered to all of the subjects in controlled environments to reduce the likeliness of bias. The raw scores were converted to standard sten ten-point scores as indicated by the 16 PF. The means and standard deviations were computed for each of the sixteen personality factors and for each significant F-ratio. A Scheffe-Post Hoc Comparison was computed. Significant differences were found on two of the sixteen factors: Factor I (tough-mindelness vs. tender-mindedness) and Factor L (trusting vs. suspicious). On Factor I, the basketball players (successful and unsuccessful) scored significantly lower than the non-athletic female group toward the tough-minded side of the scale. On Factor L, the unsuccessful basketball players scored significantly lower than the successful players, indicating that unsuccessful players are a more trusting group. It was also suggested that personality profiles are most useful to be coach of an athletic team when applied to individual athletes rather than an entire athletic team. Verf.-Referat