FEATURES OF MORAL JUDGMENTS OF PHYSICALLY ACTIVE AND INACTIVE MALE ADOLESCENTS

The research aim – to identify the features of moral judgments of physically active and inactive 7-8 grade male adolescents. The research sample consisted of 104 school learners (gender distribution: 52.9% male and 47.1% female) from the mainstream school of Lithuania (Klaipeda and Kretinga). The present article develops and analyzes results obtained from the boy group of the sample. Research methods: analysis of relevant scientific research, a questionnaire, and statistical analysis. The obtained research results have demonstrated certain differences between the group of physically active and physically inactive male adolescents. Results have shown that physically active male students more so than physically inactive ones tend to resist peers’ influence to disobey the rules and are able to control their behavior, stand up for their beliefs even in cases a competitor plays unfair. However, physically inactive boys as opposed to physically active ones witness occasions of unfair play and noncompliance with the rules less often. Physically inactive boys perceive any behavior of an athlete breaking the rules as unacceptable; they cheat less often and attempt not to harm the competitor in any way. This is because they do not appreciate a victory achieved at any cost and unfair play, which is very often justified among physically active boys. KEYWORDS: physically active and inactive boys, moral judgments, sporting behavior. DOI:  http://dx.doi.org/ 10.15181/atee.v1i0.667