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Section 1: The Nature of Sport Chapter Preview Section 1: The Nature of Sport Section 2: Theoretical Perspectives and Sport Section 3: Social Issues in Sport Chapter Menu

Chapter Preview · Section 1 The Nature of Sport (pages 496–502) As a social institution, sport fulfills some important societal needs. One of these is helping individuals identify with other members of society. Sport subcultures have developed around both team and individual sports. For this reason, sport is a reflection of society. Chapter Preview 1

Chapter Preview · Section 2 Theoretical Perspectives and Sport (pages 503–511) Functionalists see sport positively, as a means for socializing young people, promoting social integration, providing a release for tensions, and developing sound character. Conflict theorists believe that organized sports can be harmful to character development. Symbolic interactionists focus on the self-concepts and relationships developed through sport activities. Chapter Preview 2

Chapter Preview · Section 3 Social Issues in Sport (pages 512–519) Sport contributes to upward mobility among collegiate athletes, but the opportunities are too few. Minorities still face discrimination in sport. Women in sport suffer from gender-based stereotypes. Although this situation is slowly improving, intercollegiate female athletes do not receive treatment equal to males. Chapter Preview 3

Chapter Preview-End

As a social institution, sport fulfills some important societal needs As a social institution, sport fulfills some important societal needs. One of these is helping individuals identify with other members of society. Sport subcultures have developed around both team and individual sports. For this reason, sport is a reflection of society. Section 1-Preview

sport sport subculture Section 1-Key Terms

Section 1-Polling Question Which of the following are some benefits you’ve received from sports in your life? A. Societal needs B. Individuals identify with other members of society C. Reflection of society D. All of the above A B C D Section 1-Polling Question

A Definition of Sport Sport is a set of competitive activities in which winners and losers are determined by physical performance within a set of established rules. Section 1

Do you agree or disagree with the definition of sport? A. Agree B. Disagree A B Section 1

Sport as a Social Institution Sport teaches some of the basic values of society and promotes attachment to society. Section 1

Which of the following are some values that sport teaches? A. Basic values of society B. Promotes attachment to society C. Aids in socialization D. Self-identification A B C D Section 1

Sport, Culture, and Society Sport reflects American society’s emphasis on achievement. Males dominate the sport world, but progress is being made by females. Section 1

Do you feel that most sports are dominated by males? A. Very much so B. Somewhat C. Not very much D. Not at all A B C D Section 1

Sport Subcultures A sport subculture is a group within a larger context of sport that has some of it own distinct roles, values, and norms. Examples: Hockey players Surfboard riders versus surf lifesavers Jockeys Section 1

What are some other sport subcultures? A. Hockey players B. Surfboard riders C. Surf lifesavers D. Jockeys A B C D Section 1

Section 1-End

Functionalists see sport positively, as a means for socializing young people, promoting social integration, providing a release for tensions, and a developing sound character. Conflict theorists believe that organized sports can be harmful to character development. Symbolic interactionists focus on the self-concepts and relationships developed through sport activities. Section 2-Preview

Section-Polling Question What do you think is the main function of sport? A. Character development B. Promote social identification C. Release for tension D. Teach basic norms A B C D Section-Polling Question

Culture and Sport Sport is a major social activity through which culture is created and reinforced. Sociologists disagree about the social implications of sport. Sport Paradoxes Section 2

“American sport embodies American values…” Do you agree or disagree with this statement? A. Agree B. Disagree C. Not sure A B C Section 2

Functionalism Functionalists think sport is important because it helps society work more smoothly. Olympic Success Section 2

Functionalism (cont.) The functions of sport: To teach basic beliefs, norms, and values. To promote a sense of social identification. To offer a safe release of aggressive feelings generated by the frustrations, anxieties, and strains of modern life. To encourage the development of character. Section 2

Functionalism (cont.) Dysfunctions of sport: The desire to win may cause extreme violence. It may also cause cheating. Section 2

A B C D How do functionalists view the role of sport in society? A. Sport teaches basic beliefs, norms, and values. B. Sport promotes a sense of social identification. C. Sport offers a safe release of aggressive feelings generated by the frustrations, anxieties, and strains of modern life. D. Sport encourages the development of character. A B C D Section 2

Conflict Theory To conflict theorists, sport is a social institution in which the most powerful oppress, manipulate, coerce, and exploit others. Although sport unites temporarily, inequality and social division still exist. Section 2

Conflict Theory (cont.) They also believe that the better one is at a sport, the less sportsmanship he or she shows. Sports scandals seem to be everywhere. Section 2

What are some of the drugs that athletes take? A. Steroids B. Growth hormones C. Amphetamines D. All of the above A B C D Section 2

Symbolic Interactionism This perspective concentrates on personal meaning, social relationships, and self-identity processes. The meanings of the symbols associated with sports affect the self-concepts, as well as the relationships, of those involved. Section 2

Symbolic Interactionism (cont.) Limitations of each perspective: Functionalists—critics of this perspective contend that many sports have become so closely tied to elite interests that they contribute more to private profit than to the general well-being of society. Section 2

Symbolic Interactionism (cont.) Conflict theorists—they tend to overlook the positive contributions of sport to society. Symbolic interactionists—they fail to include the broader social and cultural context. Social Effects of Sport Section 2

How were social interaction and self-concepts affected by sports? A. Hustle B. Weaker C. Aggressive behavior D. Loss of self-esteem A B C D Section 2

Section 2-End

Sport contributes to upward mobility among collegiate athletes, but the opportunities are too few. Minorities still face discrimination in sport. Women in sport suffer from gender-based stereotypes. Intercollegiate female athletes do not receive treatment equal to the treatment received by males, although this situation is slowly improving. Section 3-Preview

stacking Section 3-Key Terms

Section 3-Polling Question Do you agree that inequality exists in sports? A. Agree B. Disagree C. Not sure A B C Section 3-Polling Question

Sport and Social Mobility Participating in sport increases the likelihood of improving a person’s place in the stratification structure. Some people argue that sport is a social class escalator for minorities. High School Athletes’ Chances of Advancing to the Pros Section 3

Sport and Social Mobility (cont.) Others argue that the emphasis on sport is harmful because it diverts attention away from learning the academic and business-related skills necessary for success in mainstream society. Either way, no high school athlete should rely solely on sport as a ticket up the stratification structure. Section 3

Do you feel that athletes should be so revered? A. Very much so B. Somewhat C. Not very much A B C Section 3

Sport and Racism In stacking, players are assigned to less central positions on the basis of race or ethnicity. Most minorities are not assigned central positions, which has economic consequences for them. African Americans must perform better than whites to avoid pay discrimination. National Football League Positions, by Race Section 3

Sport and Racism (cont.) Minority former athletes profit much less than their white colleagues from personal appearances and commercial endorsements. They also lose out in sports-related careers when their playing days are over. There are few minorities represented in the power structure at the professional level. Who Are the Biggest Baseball Fans? Section 3

Do you feel that there are any solutions to this racism in sport? A. Yes B. No C. Not sure D. Sometimes A B C D Section 3

Sexism in Sport Barriers for women: Women who play sports have been stereotyped as masculine in the past. They have also been told that sports would harm a woman’s health, especially her ability to bear children. Sexism has denied women equal access to organized sports. Section 3

Sexism in Sport (cont.) Title IX helped. Resistance to female participation at the local level still exists. Women are still denied equal access to the power structure, and the number in those positions have ironically decreased due to Title IX. Women at the professional level make significantly less than men. Section 3

What are some reasons that women have historically been discouraged from sports? A. More masculine B. Unfeminine C. Harm a woman’s health D. None of the above A B C D Section 3

Section 3-End

Figure 15.1

Figure 15.2

High School Athletes’ Chances of Advancing to the Pros Source: National Federation of State High School Associations, 1999–2000. Figure 15.3

National Football League Positions, by Race Source: Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport, 2004. Figure 15.4

Percentage of College Women’s Athletic Teams Coached by Women Source: R. Vivian Acosta and Linda Jean Carpenter, “Women in Intercollegiate Sport.” Brooklyn College, 2004. Figure 15.5

Who Are the Biggest Baseball Fans? Source: Latitudes and Attitudes: An Atlas of American Tastes, Trends, Politics, and Passions. Boston: Little, Brown. Snapshot

Olympic Success World View Source: The World Almanac and Book of Facts, 2005. World View

sport a set of competitive activities in which winners and losers are determined by physical performance within a set of established rules Vocab1

sport subculture a group with distinct roles, values, norms, and beliefs that is organized around a sport activity Vocab2

stacking assignment of players to less central positions on the basis of race or ethnicity Vocab3

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