Understanding the cognitive mechanisms effective in justifying unethical and antisocial behaviors in sports Case study: doping in sports

Articles in Press

Document Type : Meta-analysis

Authors

1 Assistant Professor of Sport Management Sport Science Research Institute (SSRI), Tehran, Iran

2 . PhD student, Faculty Of Sport Sciences, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran

3 PHD Student in criminal law and criminology Qom university

4 Department of Physical Education, Farhangian University, Tehran, Iran

10.22089/spsyj.2025.17169.2510
Abstract
The aim of the current research was the application of cognitive mechanisms in Breaching the integrity of sports.This synthesis sought to combine and generalize studies related to cognitive processes effective in unethical and antisocial behaviors in athletes (especially doping). To achieve this goal, two electronic databases, Taylor and Francis and Science Direct, were selected as reference for the search strategy. To guide the system, to ensure the transparency and completeness of the reports, the P.R.I.S.M.A guidelines were used for systematic reviews and meta-analysis. After the adjustment and screening process of synthesis research, 31 documents were analyzed as samples. Thematic analysis of the scientific literature related to the breach of the integrity of sports governance identified 11 mechanisms of Moral disengagement. These mechanisms are divided into four general categories (1) behavioral mechanism "moral justification, emotional-psychological justification, social justification, economic justification, comparison, Euphemistic language ", (2) external agency mechanism " Displacement of responsibility, diffusion of responsibility", (3) The mechanism of adjustment of consequences and negative effects was categorized as "neglect, distortion, denial of consequences and reversal of causality" and (4) victim mechanism (dehumanization). This study will be very useful for researchers, sports management specialists who aim to understand the role of cognitive mechanisms in justifying unethical and antisocial behaviors in sports fields

Keywords

Main Subjects

Sport Psychology Studies

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 10 July 2025

  • Receive Date 07 September 2024
  • Revise Date 05 July 2025
  • Accept Date 09 July 2025