Learning the scholarship lingo…..

A concept designed by Dr Mason Durie. Based on a four sided Whare – each wall represents each section of a persons total well-being. The point being, if one dimension is suffering, all others are affected and a person is not totally healthy – the roof falls down. The four dimensions are of course: – social, spiritual, mental/emotional and physical.

Functionalists believe that society is like a living organism or ecosystem. They believe that each part of society are dependent on one another, and if one part is damaged then (like an organism) the whole of society suffers. But they do believe that other parts of society could compensate to allow society to continue in a happy state (much like parts of our body compensate when one is injured).

Sport is a social institution and reinforces common values in society. Sports socialises young people into values like competition and patriotism. Sport contributes to health and welfare. Sport is an acceptable way to release energy. Sport can create unity. Sport is a useful economic tool. Sport can break down social barriers that exist in society. Sport is based on the principle of hard work. Sport is stability.

They believe society is mainly co- operative, harmonious and there is consensus. It ignores the social conflict in society. It also ignores the process of social change, which is often gained through conflict.

Believe society is made up of groups of people who have more power, control and influence than other groups. They believe: There are hegemonic (power) relationships Social institutions in society (see next slide) reinforce power imbalances among groups. The powerful are privileged and have a vested interest in keeping things the same. The powerless have a vested interest in social change. This creates conflict and tension in society. It is concerned with the why/why not questions. Believes in the importance of changing individual and group consciousness in creating social change.

The critical theorists and their consciousness raising often leads to social change.

Is an invention of a particular culture or society. The implication is that social constructs are human choices or creations rather than laws of nature. (eg money). Includes issues, beliefs, that are constructed by certain people and then given credit or value by the media, parents, education etc. Allow things to have a “value”. Need to ask – how do they become socially constructed and what are the benefits? Why do we believe there is a ‘perfect body’ that is often unattainable? Who set this belief? Who is benefitting?

Government, religion, education, law enforcement, business and industry (the rich people), sport, media. Important we know who they are so we recognise who has the power. Need to recognise who is dominant and less dominant to establish a critical perspective of society. Powerful people often have control or can persuade others less powerful. Powerful people have a vested interest in keeping things the same.

Hegemony relates to people in a power relationship. Critical theorists believe that in society there is: “A relationship in which dominant groups in society temporarily dominate by their ability to persuade rather than force of coerce subordinate groups to be compliant”. Power is socially constructed – certain groups can be classes as powerful, or powerless and are often direct opposites. A power relationship between two people or two groups is described as a hegemonic relationship.

Is a process through which items or objects become commodities, to be sold and bought. Items don’t always start life as a commodity but become a commodity when its primary existence changes to create wealth for its owners. “To become a commodity, a product must be transferred to another, whom it will serve as a use value, by means of exchange” (Karl Marx). Who or what are commodities? Who benefits?

The body as a project is the assumption or view of the body where it is seen as an object to be manipulated, modelled and sculpted into a mostly unobtainable societal perfection. What are the implications of this?

Scientism is derived from people who believe that science is the only means of establishing meaning, understanding and knowledge. It ignores other sources of knowledge such as intuition, religion, attitudes and beliefs, the nature of relationships etc. It is in essence viewing things from a scientific perspective, ignoring all others. When writing your PEP, what was the very first thing you did? From a scientific perspective, how would your writing your programme be different? How would it be the same?

The application of scientism to movement concepts. It is the “body professions” – coaches, teaches, personal trainers, sport scientists etc whose common understanding relies on scientific approaches to enhance performance in sport. It treats the body as a machine, to be measured and analysed. What does this approach ignore?

Is closely related to technocentricity. The idea that a persons Health is the individuals responsibility. An individualist approach that ignores all other socio-cultural factors. Ignores SPEECH For example, if someone has worked with dangerous chemicals, without being told, or lives near dump sites, a healthism approach would be that it is their fault and their responsibility. What is an example from the fitness industry?

Social Political Economical Environmental Cultural Historic For example, lets take the ‘body as machine mentality’. It ignores the fact that Society or social circles enhance/enable or restrict….. Politics – war in countries means people have less choice about exercise. Laws written mean some women are forbidden to exercise. NZ SPARC which is government run encourages physical activity, but not in a way suggested by scientism. Economical – people may not be able to afford a swim, a gym membership, good education. Environmental – why are African runners so good? Who is good at the winter Olympics? Why? Cultural – in some cultures big is beautiful, is this wrong? Genetic factors – eg – western vs. eastern African runners, Japanese vs. British. Historical – being big used to signify wealth and prominence.

An assumption is an idea or proposed meaning that is taken for granted, as if it were true. They are based upon beliefs that have not had careful consideration or reflection of facts. Over time they can become our ‘default thinking’ and we begin to accept them as true. Why do we need to understand and identify assumptions? Who maintains or develops assumptions? Where do they come from? What are the influences of these on others?

“A term that applies the methods of physics to the study of biological structures and processes”. Bio-physical in PE refers to the anatomy and biomechanics we study in relation to our bodies and human movement. Why is it important to gain knowledge using a bio-physical approach?

Socio-cultural perspective refers to the theory of psychology that states that it is necessary to understand one's culture, ethnic identity, and other socio-cultural factors to fully understand a person. What do we do in PE that looks at training from a socio-cultural perspective? Why is it important to take into account this view?

Is defined as examining, questioning, evaluating and challenging taken-for-granted assumptions about issues and practices. It is the so what??? An introductory model: See next slide…..

1. What do I think? What is my position on this? 2. Why do I think this? 3. How do I come to know this? 4. What has influenced me? 5. Any assumptions within what I think? 6. What are the implications of my beliefs? 7. Do I want to change my position? 8. Back to start....