DIFFERENCES IN PERSONALITY TRAITS BETWEEN ATHLETES AND NON-ATHLETES

The aim of this research is to examine the differences in personality traits between athletes and non-athletes. The research sample consists of 136 athletes who participate in sports competitions, and 100 non-athletes. The sample consists of 76 athletes of individual sports (archery, kayak, tennis) and 60 athletes of collective sports (basketball, football, American football, volleyball). Personality traits were measured by HEXACO-60. The results showed statistically significant differences in extraversion (p < 0.00), emotionality (p < 0.00), conscientiousness (p < 0.00) and openness to new experiences (p < 0.05). Namely, athletes have higher extraversion and conscientiousness, and lower emotionality and openness to new experiences. Extraversion is more pronounced in athletes (M =3.47) than in non-athletes (M = 2.88), and conscientiousness is also higher in athletes (M = 3.70) than in non-athletes (M = 3.31). And emotionality is lower in athletes (M = 2.90) than in non-athletes (M = 3.39), just as openness to new experiences is lower in athletes (M = 3.59) than in non-athletes (M = 3.39). There are no statistically significant differences between athletes and non-athletes in honesty and agreeableness. This study provided a better understanding of the personality traits of athletes compared to non-athletes.