Selected personality characteristics of martial artists

Abstract

The Edwards Personal Preference Schedule was used to study the comparative personality traits of Karate practitioners, boxers and the normal population. One hypothesis under investigation was that the philosophical aspect of martial arts training would affect certain personality traits of the Karate practitioners, contrasting with sportsmen undertaking a similar activity with no apparent philosophical tendency. The Athletic Personality type hypothesis was also tested against both activity groups to ascertain whether either or both of the two activities groups demonstrated alignment with this hypothesis. The study was conducted under Murray's (1962) concept of personality development, in regards to the operation of four classes of personality determinants: constitutional, group membership, role and situational determinants. A stepwise multiple discriminant analysis was performed on the EPPS scores. Variables having a significant or close L significant F-ratio were analysed, with a post-hoc t-test being conducted on the significant variable.