Psychology Of Competitive Dance: A Study Of The Demand Of Competition

Competitions in sports and dance forms tend to start at a fairly young age, and can continue and expand into a professional career. The qualities developed in younger children due to the early exposure of competitions can be arguably good or bad, depending on one’s research and personal opinion. While my personal experience has lead me to believe that specialization in earlier years could lead to greater success, The Psychology of Competitive Dance: A Study of the Motivations for Adolescent Involvement argues that “the pressure and demand of competition is unsuitable for youth of such an age” (Sobash, #). This published article attempts to persuade its readers through the use of relevant information, well-supported facts, as well as an authoritative

“Growing support within the sport sciences recommends early diversification over specialization to aid general locomotor and psychological skills… One theory developed by the use of Darwinian thought suggests genetically gifted athletes in their youth possess the inherent characteristics to positively adapt to the training loads during growth and maturation” (Sobash, #). Presenting this knowledge to the reader expands on the idea that early-aged dance competitions negatively affects psychological development, and that children may already be naturally talented in their pursued field of training. Additionally, the writer presents positive solutions to the issue such as “if instructors and parents can build up resiliency factors, a young person can positively develop instead of abnormally in the face of stressors” (Sobash, #). Contrasting the theories and scientific research that supports this article, the lack of pathos may hurt the writer’s standpoint when analyzing the paper rhetorically. In my personal analysis, while she shows the emotionally damaging aspect of competitive dancing, she struggles to capture the audience emotionally. An opposing individual of this audience may be able to emotionally connect with the audience to convey a different opinion. Others with different backgrounds such as being an experienced dance parent may be swayed against this article because of personal experience and emotional disconnection. The audience may expect a more emotional view, through true experiences rather than scientific