Would you dope? A general population test of the Goldman dilemma.
OBJECTIVE
To test Goldman's dilemma on a general population sample by asking whether they would take the Faustian bargain of a drug that guaranteed sporting success but would result in their death in 5 years' time. Between 1982 and 1995 a bi-annual survey using this dilemma suggested half of all elite athletes would take the drug.


METHODS
A random telephone survey of 250 members of the Australian general public, with counterbalanced presentation of success and death.


METHODS
Respondents gave age, gender, sports engagement and response to the dilemma (yes/no).


RESULTS
Only two of a sample of 250 reported they would take the bargain offered by the dilemma.


CONCLUSIONS
Athletes differ markedly from the general population in response to the dilemma. This raises significant practical and ethical dilemmas for athlete support personnel. The psychometry of the dilemma needs to be established more comprehensively for general and athlete populations.
Connor
J M
JM
School of Business, University of New South Wales at Australian Defence Force Academy, Northcott Drive, Canberra ACT, Australia 2600. James.Connor@adfa.edu.au
Mazanov
J
J
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D056352:Athletes / Q000523:psychology*; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001315:Australia; D004300:Doping in Sports / Q000941:ethics* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011639:Public Opinion; D055815:Young Adult