of athletes. Several studies of groups, such as cyclists and bodybuilders, report differences among athletes in terms of introversion, tension, confusion, depression, and anger. Research on ski instructors reports differences from non-athletes in terms of competitiveness, goal orientation, independence, nurturing, and sensuality (Bridgewater, 1983). It is apparent from current literature that, while athletes differ from non-athletes on a variety of personality factors, the majority of the studies have found that these differences are sport-specific. Although the conclusions reached by the various studies are not unequivocal, there is a tendency for the male athletes to be described in terms of extroversion and stable disposition. High dominance, social, aggression, leadership, tough-mindedness and emotional control are a few of the qualities attributed to male athletes. However, there is a tendency for women athletes to be shown as relatively anxious extroverts.
In 1964, Slusher (1964) studied 400 athletes and a random sample of 100 non-athletes from
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