Physical education study field – in search of disciplinary identity

Abstract

In order to understand meaningful landmarks for individuals and society, this article deals with the peculiarities of constructing disciplinary identity in the fi eld of physical education. On the basis of the works for constructing identities in the physical education context we were trying to look for manifestations of disciplinary identity. Based on quantitative data gathered in Lithuanian universities, we have analysed the physical education study fi eld from three directions: medicine and health, life sciences and education. In doing so, the provisions of the study participants interpreted by quantitative methods allowed us to distinguish four components of disciplinary identity: self-recognition, social recognition, satisfaction with the study fi eld and objective communication. Th e analysis demonstrates essential diff erences regarding groups of study fi elds and the results suggest that undergraduate students from diff erent study fi elds of physical education identify themselves diff erently and are acknowledged diff erently by their signifi cant others. Hoping to encourage self-recognition and reduce diff erences in academic recognition of the physical education study fi eld, students from the medical and health study fi eld should be provided with the widest possible discourse of social sciences and the humanities. Th is is a way of helping students to become more self-aware as professionals and more capable of crossing boundaries of the physical education discipline.