Examination of Socialization Level of University Students Engaged in Sports Activities According to Their Locus of Control

Abstract

In this study, the university students who participate in sports have been examined in terms of their socialization relative to the participation in sport activities and the locus of control. Students are thought to be engaged in many activities in addition to their lessons during their student tenure at higher education institutions. Their participation in such activities is examined to find out whether the students take part in the mentioned activities on their own accord, or through the manipulation of others. The sample of this research consisted of students who studied at the Marmara, Istanbul Technical (ITU), and Haliç universities (n=174). Data collection was based on Şahan’s (2007) scale of “Role of the Sportive activities in Socialization Process of the University Students” (r= 0.77, r= 0.84) and Dağ’s (2002) “Scale on Locus of Control” (α= .92). The obtained results demonstrate significant differences between the items in the socialization scales and the characteristics of locus of control of the university students. Significant differences have been detected between the items of socialization scales and university students’ interest (i.e., amateur, spectator, no interest) in sports. The only significant difference in terms of gender was determined in sport and socialization skills.