ROdown Blog
Sport's bad boys - all in the mind?
Ever wondered why Arana Taumata, the footy player who has been sacked from the Bulldogs, Storm, Roosters and Broncos - keeps doing stupid things? Or why Ben Cousins kept doing drugs and putting his career on the line? Don’t even get us started on some of the sex scandals.
What is it with these guys, who seem to have everything, and yet they keep on doing stuff that puts their whole career at risk?
One academic reckons he has the answer. A new study by Professor Jeffrey Pfeifer at Swinburne University suggests that professional athletes who are picked out when they are young, and never given the opportunity to make a lot of choices in their life, are shielded from the effects of their actions. So they become self centred, lack self control, and don’t think about how their decisions affect others.
Yet, when asked to make different decisions out on the field, these athletes will easily change their behaviour? Would some some brain training in making good choices be an effective way of improving decision making and well-being?
Check out the Sydney Morning Herald’s article about it here.
The cool thing about this is that it doesn't just affect decisions we make about binge drinking, or making an idiot out of ourselves. The study shows that when we get used to making choices and thinking about others, it is easier to keep up the good mindset and make better choices generally - leaving us happier, healthier human beings.
Here at ReachOut.com we know that not all sports guys make bad choices! Just check out the pic of the Westcoast Eagles players who got involved with ReachOut.com's stealth campaign! Great choice!
What do you reckon - do you think this would fix the problem with sports culture? Would some 'brain-training' in your weekly exercise regime help you?
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