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the moral reasoning of student athletes and athletic training students

the moral reasoning of student athletes and athletic training students

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conversation <strong>and</strong> attitude speaks to many issues that affect <strong>the</strong> process <strong>of</strong> <strong>moral</strong> <strong>reasoning</strong> in our<br />

<strong>student</strong> <strong>athletes</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>athletic</strong> <strong>training</strong> <strong>student</strong>s.<br />

According to <strong>the</strong> results <strong>of</strong> this study, <strong>the</strong> use <strong>of</strong> a <strong>reasoning</strong> process dominated by <strong>the</strong><br />

rules <strong>and</strong> legality <strong>of</strong> a scenario appears to permeate <strong>athletic</strong> departments <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir <strong>student</strong><br />

<strong>athletes</strong>. The ideal reasoned perspective includes a <strong>reasoning</strong> process by which individuals utilize<br />

a set <strong>of</strong> <strong>moral</strong> principles that take into account individual social norms <strong>and</strong> laws while<br />

maintaining a higher st<strong>and</strong>ard <strong>of</strong> <strong>moral</strong>ity. Student <strong>athletes</strong>, as well as <strong>athletic</strong> <strong>training</strong> <strong>student</strong>s,<br />

are taught to make decisions with a policy <strong>and</strong> rule based approach. Both are encouraged,<br />

sometimes m<strong>and</strong>ated to read policy <strong>and</strong> procedures manuals. They are asked to abide by <strong>the</strong> rules<br />

because <strong>the</strong>y are told to do so. But <strong>the</strong> coach that said, “They (<strong>the</strong> NCAA) make all <strong>the</strong> decisions<br />

for us. There isn’t room for <strong>moral</strong> <strong>reasoning</strong>,” has pinpointed <strong>the</strong> issue exactly. There seems to<br />

be no discussion <strong>of</strong> what it means to be a honorable person, or a contributing member <strong>of</strong> an<br />

<strong>athletic</strong> department with a high quality <strong>of</strong> character. The issue with a <strong>reasoning</strong> process based in<br />

a rule principled foundation is that rules don’t teach honor. Rest <strong>and</strong> Narvaez (1994) argued that<br />

low scoring <strong>student</strong>s are unable to underst<strong>and</strong> discussions about “intermediate level concepts”<br />

essentially because <strong>the</strong>y do not have <strong>the</strong> cognitive foundation to even recognize <strong>the</strong> issues. They<br />

don’t dem<strong>and</strong> individuals to practice <strong>moral</strong> <strong>reasoning</strong> <strong>and</strong> if something isn’t used, we know it<br />

will progressively fade away.<br />

Athletic departments provide ample opportunity for <strong>the</strong>ir <strong>student</strong> <strong>athletes</strong> to develop <strong>the</strong>ir<br />

physical <strong>and</strong> “life” skills. Athletic <strong>training</strong> <strong>student</strong>s abide by strict rules <strong>and</strong> progress through<br />

rigorous <strong>training</strong> in <strong>the</strong>ir quests to becoming certified <strong>athletic</strong> trainers. Kohlberg (1975) argued<br />

that <strong>the</strong> discussion, debate <strong>and</strong> challenging <strong>of</strong> our views causes us to consider more sound<br />

positions, that consider <strong>the</strong> perspectives <strong>of</strong> o<strong>the</strong>rs <strong>and</strong> social law. In <strong>the</strong> lives <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>se college<br />

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