How can deviance affect an athlete's identity and self-perception?

• A. It can stigmatize the athlete, alter social status, affect career prospects, and influence future behavior.
• B. It only affects an athlete's physical health.
• C. Its effects are limited to short-term mood.
• D. It does not influence future behavior.

Answer: (C)

Deviance can reshape how an athlete sees themselves and how others see them, which in turn alters their place within the sport and their motivation to participate. When an action is labeled as deviant, the athlete may experience stigma and a shift in social status—teammates, coaches, fans, sponsors, and even media may treat them differently. This external reaction can become part of the athlete’s self-concept, so they start to view themselves in a new light and adjust their goals, identity as an athlete, and what behaviors feel appropriate or acceptable on and off the field. Those changes can influence career prospects—selection, playing time, contracts, and opportunities beyond sport—and can steer future behavior as the athlete negotiates norms, coping strategies, and decisions in the wake of the stigma.

The other options miss these broader, lasting effects. Limiting the impact to physical health ignores the social and psychological dimensions, and focusing only on short-term mood overlooks how stigma and altered identity can persist and shape future actions. Saying there’s no influence on future behavior ignores the way labeled deviance can create a self-fulfilling cycle and long-term response to norms and opportunities.