Authors: Elena-Mădălina Mărăcine, Niculina-Liliana Mihăilescu
Affiliation
National University of Science and Technology Politehnica Bucharest, Pitesti University Center
Abstract
Background. The conclusions of studies and researches conducted over time have highlighted the beneficial effects that chess brings in the development of psycho-social behavior of practitioners.
Aims. The aim of the study was to assess the effects of chess practice on the development of psychosocial behavior in fifth graders (11-12 years). The experiment group studied for 34 weeks the optional subject “Education through chess”, and the control group studied another optional subject.
Methods. The sample on which the experimental research was carried out consisted of a number of 47 fifth grade students from four educational units in Gorj County. As an assessment tool we used the student behavior observation sheet. Students’ competences were assessed on three levels: attitudes and behaviors; school discipline; psychosocial behavior. The quantitative analysis of the obtained results was carried out in the SPSS version 23 program.
Results. The results of our research highlight the fact that, at the end of the experiment, there were significant differences between the scores obtained by the subjects of the two groups, the study group acquiring these skills in a very large proportion and displaying them regularly.
Conclusions. Students of the fifth grade, who studied the discipline “Education through chess”, made significant progress in the development of psychosocial behavior.
Keywords: education, optional discipline, chess, development of psycho-social behavior.
