Cultural Diversity
Chair(s): Schinke, Rob (Laurentian University, Greater Sudbury, Canada)
Beiträge des Symposiums
Japanese Budo and Sport from the perspective between Eastern and Western Gaps considering Nishida Philosophy and Kendo
Oda, Yoshiko
Hosei University, Tokyo, Japan
INTRODUCTION
The aim of this study is to shed light on “martial ways (training and human development)” and “sports (competition)” through Nishida philosophy, and by reflecting on Eastern culture through the mirror of Western culture, to explore the possibility of a philosophy that can transcend the gap between these two worlds and overcome our divided world.
BUDO AND MUSHIN
Budo is “an athletic culture of mind-technique unity through the discipline of martial ways systematized in Japan, derived from the tradition of bushido, and is a path of human development that trains the mind, technique and body as a whole, refines character, enhances moral values and fosters respect for civility”.
KENDO COMPETITION AND THE AESTHETICS OF ZANSHIN
All Japan Kendo Federation established “the concept of kendo is to discipline the human character through the application of the principles of the katana (sword)” in 1975. Kendo is a traditional Japanese fencing sport, defined as one-on-one competition in which the participants strike one another in competition for yuko-datotsu (point scores) using shinai (bamboo swords), which are considered to be the origin of the Japanese sword (Mitsuhashi, 1972).
KITARO NISHIDA'S 'ABSOLUTE NOTHINGNESS'
“Philosophy begins with the fact of our own self-contradiction. The motive of philosophy must not be “surprise” but the deep sorrow of life”, Nishida said. The orientation of seeing “nothingness” at the root of the self is quite Japanese. It differs from Western thinking, which sees the absolute existence of “God” as the ultimate reality. Nishida contrasts the Western “logic of existence” with the Japanese (Eastern) “logic of nothingness” (Saeki, 2014).
ON THE 'GAP IN BETWEEN' EAST AND WEST
Nishida asked the question “how is it possible to create a new world culture against the background of our historical culture”. By reflecting Eastern culture in the mirror of Western culture, and Western in the mirror of Eastern, he found ‘a deeper and greater basis’, which could be achieved by shining a ‘new light’ on both. Where the simple opposition of East and West loses its power, where the emphasis is on the ‘gap in between’ (a space between), this was the place of Nishida's contemplation (Fujita, 2007).
LITERATURE
Saeki, K. (2014). Nishida Kitaro: The selfless philosophy and the Japanese. Shinchosha.
Fujita, M. (2007). Nishida Kitaro: Living and philosophy. Iwanami Shinsho.
Cultural Diversity and Physical Activity as a Driver of Physical Self-Concept: Longitudinal Findings and Mentoring Implications
Ghanbari, Marie, Tietjens, Maike, Strauß, Bernd
Universität Münster
INTRODUCTION
Physical activity is essential for children’s development. However, the form and cultural context of activity play a critical role in shaping self-perception. This study explores the relationship between physical activity, physical fitness, and physical self-concept in culturally contrasting environments – Nigeria and Germany – and highlights the value of cooperative, self-organized movement in shaping psychological well-being (Ghanbari, 2015).
METHODS & RESULTS
A quasi-experimental longitudinal design with three measurement points (T1–T3) is applied. A total of N = 716 adolescents (Nigeria: n = 369; Germany: n = 347) participate. Validated instruments include PSDQ-S, DMT 6–18, and a physical activity questionnaire. Structural equation modeling (SEM) are used to analyze reciprocal effects and invariance across cultures. Structural equation modeling confirmed the Reciprocal Effect Model (Marsh & Craven, 2006), revealing a bidirectional relationship between physical activity, fitness, and self-concept across both cultures (p < .05; β = .13 - .28; CMIN/DF = 2,694; CFI = .966; TLI = .946; RMSEA = .049). Metric and structural invariance support the model’s cross-cultural validity. Nigerian adolescents showed higher activity levels and more positive self-concepts, likely due to collectivist, everyday movement practices.
DISCUSSION
These findings provide key insights for cross-cultural psychology and highlight the potential of cooperative, self-organized physical activity to foster physical self-concept, identity, and resilience in youth. Inspired by the African Ubuntu philosophy (“I am because we are”), such practices promote belonging and well-being. Based on these insights, the interdisciplinary program “Sportpaten” was developed. Since 2012, over 1,000 university students have been trained in theory-practice models of psychology, empathy, and mentoring. In structured 1:1 settings, they empower disadvantaged children through playful physical activity. The cross-cultural study and the Sportpaten intervention illustrate how culturally rooted approaches can promote inclusion, motivation, and growth−especially for refugee children and those facing adversity.
LITERATURE
Ghanbari, M. (2015). Die Bedeutung der körperlich-sportlichen Aktivität für das Selbstkonzept und die körperliche Fitness Jugendlicher: Eine kulturvergleichende längsschnittliche Studie am Beispiel Nigerias und Deutschlands ([Electronic ed.].).
Marsh, H. W., & Craven, R. G. (2006). Reciprocal effects of self-concept and performance from a multidimensional perspective: Beyond seductive pleasure and unidimensional perspectives. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 1(2), 133−163.
Between the Ropes and the Self – Boxing as a Tool to Strengthen Young Women’s Self-Concept
Albrecht, Nadine
Universität Münster
INTRODUCTION
A stable self-concept is closely linked to mental health. Adolescent girls often rely on internalizing coping strategies, which in turn negatively affect their self-concept and vice versa (Hards et al., 2020). To address this, the psychosocial, movement-based intervention mindmittens was developed for vulnerable young women (14–27), combining self-concept theories, Self-Determination Theory, boxing elements, and Intervention Mapping.
METHODS
The aim of the intervention study was to examine the stabilization of self-concept and the effect of psychosocial and boxing-specific elements. The quasi-experimental mixed-methods study included a 3-day/6-week intervention (t1–t2) and a follow-up (t2–t3: 8–12 weeks). A pilot study was followed by the main study with a pre-post-post design, comprising n = 124 participants in the intervention group (Mage = 17.18, SD = 3.23) and n = 86 in the control group (Mage = 15.72, SD = 3.15).
RESULTS
To assess1, participants completed the Physical Self-Inventory and the Multidimensional Self-Esteem Scale. Repeated-measures ANOVAs showed significant time effects with small to medium effect sizes, especially in physical self-concept. Quadratic time*group interactions revealed that effects peaked post-intervention (t2) and declined by follow-up (t3). To explore, guided interviews (n = 7, Mage = 16.43, SD = 2.06) were thematically analyzed (Mayring, 2022). Findings indicate that physical self-concept was mainly influenced by boxing, while psychosocial methods supported social and emotional self-perceptions.
DISCUSSION
Despite limitations such as the short follow-up period, the results highlight the potential of boxing-based interventions to strengthen physical self-concept and counter internalizing coping. The structured combination of sport and psychosocial methods offers a low-threshold, stigma-free approach to mental health promotion in hard-to-reach target groups.
LITERATURE
Hards, E., Ellis, J., Fisk, J., & Reynolds, S. (2020). Negative view of the self and symptoms of depression in adolescents. Journal of Affective Disorders, 262, 143–148.
Mayring, P. (2022). Qualitative Inhaltsanalyse: Grundlagen und Techniken (13. Aufl.). Beltz.
