Understanding and Perceptions of Deviance Among University Athletes: A Social Control Perspective

Abstract

This study aims to comprehensively explore the perceptions, understanding, and engagement of university athletes with deviant behaviors and social control mechanisms within the sports environment in Pakistan. Focusing on a critical gap in sports ethics research within this specific demographic, the study addresses how athletes identify various forms of deviance, their attitudes toward such behaviors, their awareness of institutional rules and disciplinary policies, and their perceptions of the fairness and effectiveness of these control measures. Furthermore, it seeks to gather athletes' suggestions for improving sports ethics and social control. A quantitative descriptive research design was employed, involving 101 university athletes (both male and female, representing diverse sports, demographical backgrounds, and experiences) recruited through a convenience sampling approach across various universities in Pakistan. Data were collected using an online Google Forms questionnaire consisting of five distinct instruments, each utilizing a 5-point Likert-type scale (ranging from "Strongly Disagree" to "Strongly Agree"). These questionnaires covered athletes' understanding of deviance (cheating, aggression, substance use, gamesmanship), attitudes toward deviant behavior, awareness of institutional rules, perceptions of social control policies, and suggestions for improvement. Ethical considerations including informed consent, anonymity, and confidentiality were strictly maintained. Data will be analyzed using SPSS Version 28, employing descriptive statistics to summarize responses and inferential statistics (e.g., one sample t-test) to explore difference of opinions of sample. This research is anticipated to provide valuable insights into the ethical landscape of university sports in Pakistan, informing targeted interventions and policy enhancements to foster a culture of integrity and fair play among student-athletes.