Evaluation of superstitious behaviour in elite male sportsperson

Abstract

The aim of the present study is to assess superstitious behaviour among elite male sportsperson. To conduct the study, 100 elite male sportsperson (Average age 25.23 years) were selected as sample. The criteria for selection of subject was participation in national level tournament with top four finish in individual and team sports. The sample was selected purposively. Superstition scale prepared by Dubey and Dixit (2011) was used to assess superstitious behaviour among elite male sportsperson. Results reveal that majority i.e. 78% male elite sportspersons were highly superstitious while 18% exhibited moderate level of superstition. Only 4% subjects were non-superstitious. It was concluded that uncertainty of outcome of a match makes elite male sportsperson superstitious so that they assume false illusion that they are in control of the outcome of an event.