Dialogical Athletic Experiences Promote Internalization of Athletic Experiences in Athletes' Self-development

Abstract

It is not known how athletes internalize athletic experiences in their self-development. In this study, self-development was viewed as having two facets -internal and externaland internalization of external self-experiences was assumed to promote self-development. This study sought to explore the hypothesis that Dialogical Athletic Experiences (DAE) promote athletes’ self-development together with the development of their internal self. DAE involve a dialogue with oneself in athletic experiences by turning attention to one’s own body through dialogue with it. We developed a scale to measure athletes’ DAE which includes four factors, and in study I examined the relationship between DAE and self-development among athletes. In study II, we examined through case studies and using the four previously identified factors the process which links DAE to internalization (self-development). The results revealed that DAE consisting of the four factors of “trusting attitude based on experiences” , “subjective attitude to experiences and athletics” , “awareness and insight” , and “attitude that one will face oneself through experiences” promote self-development. These results will contribute to the progression of studies on psychological development and personality development in athletes.