+ Social Theories: Part I PHED 1007 January 19, 2015

+ Overview Introduction to social theories Explore Functionalist Theory, Conflict Theory & Critical Theory

+ What are “Theories”? Tools sociologists use to understand the human world Sociological theories are different than common everyday observations because they have been _______________ through research

+ Brief History of Sociological Theories Emerged as a consequence of: 1. ________________ Revolutions (France, U.S. – late 1700’s) Changes in government, new ideas: Gov’ts are responsible for people, citizens can play a role in the affairs of the state

+ Brief History of Sociological Theories 2. ______________ Revolution (1800s – early 1900s) New social problems: exodus from rural settings to cities, poor working/living conditions, crime, vast inequalities between rich & poor, child labour, etc.

Child labour during the industrial revolution

+ Most _____________ Used Theories Functionalist Theory Conflict Theory Interactionist Theory Critical Theory Feminist Theory

+ Functionalist Theory “Sports Preserve the Status Quo” Organized system of interrelated parts Society held together by __________ values The institutions within society (e.g., sport, family, education, religion, economy) work together in order to ensure society functions smoothly

+ Functionalist Theory Social systems function efficiently when organized to: 1. Socialize people so they _____ and accept important cultural values 2. Promote social connections between people so that they can cooperate with one another

+ Functionalist Theory 3. Motivate people to achieve socially _________ goals through socially accepted means 3. Protect the overall system from disruptive outside influences If all these needs are satisfied social order will be maintained and everyone will benefit

+ Functionalist Theory and Sport Sport _________________ to: Develop group bonds, encourage a sense of community Agent of socialization for children/integrate people into society’s dominant values Acts as positive entertainment Deter people from deviant and antisocial behaviour

+ Some Examples of Research Questions Using Functionalism Does sports participation influence social development? Do sports foster the development of social bonds? Does playing sports have a positive impact on academic/occupational success because it teaches people to follow the rules? Do sports contribute to the overall wellness of society?

+ Weaknesses in Functionalist Theory 1. Overlooks that sports are diverse and constantly __________________. 2. Overemphasis on the positive effects of sport in society 3. Assumes that the needs of all groups are the same; doesn’t acknowledge that sports benefit some groups more than others

+ Conflict Theory “Sports are Tools of the Wealthy” Assumption that societies are based on social relationships and arrangements that are shaped by ___________________ factors People with the most money: use their power to manipulate workers and to accept economic inequality as a “way of life”

+ Conflict Theory Conflict theorists: Focus on ____________ relations (i.e., consequences of social inequalities) Argue that workers need to become of aware of the need for change, take action to make changes

+ Conflict Theory and Sport According to Conflict Theorists: Sports are a way to focus the attention of the “have- nots” so that they don’t focus on their _____________ Original idea: “Religion is the opiate of the masses” ~ Karl Marx

+ Conflict Theory and Sport According to Conflict Theorists: Dynamics of power and privilege seen in a society are evident also in ________ (e.g., who has access to different sports) Those in power drive the face of sport (e.g., NHL and other for-profit business cartels set the agenda for sport)

+ Some Examples of Research Questions Using Conflict Theory How are sports related to socioeconomic inequality in society? What happens to sports when they are commercialized? How do wealthy and economically powerful people use sports to further their interests?

+ Weaknesses of Conflict Theory Ignores that sports _____ empower individuals and groups – can serve the interests of the “have-nots” Assumes everything in social life is shaped by economically determined factors – is this true? Overlooks gender, ethnicity, disability, sexuality and other factors that can influence social life

+ Critical Theory “Sports are Sites where Culture and Social Relations are Produced and Changed” Assumptions: 1. Societies characterized by shared values and ____________ 2. Social life is about continuous processes of negotiation, compromise and coercion 3. Values and social organization change over time as there are changes in power (who is in power, power balance, etc)

+ Critical Theory Critical Theory encourages action and political __________________, not just the identification and understanding of social structure Understanding of what society (and its institutions) could be, how to move towards that

+ Critical Theory and Sport Sports are sites where culture is produced, reproduced, and _________________ Sports are cultural practices that can repress AND empower people

+ Critical Theory and Sport Also important to know about the cultural and historic ______________ of societies “We know nothing about sports if sports is all we know”

+ Some Examples of Research Questions Using Critical Theory Whose idea about the meaning and organization of sports are used to determine funding priorities for sports? How are sports related to people’s ideas about physical ability and disability? Why have sports come to involve aggression, competition, and rationalized pursuit of winning?

+ Weaknesses of Critical Theory Does not provide clear __________ for determining when sports reproduce culture and social organization and when they become sites for resisting and transforming them Tendency to see value in all actions that violate prevailing norms or oppose prevailing ideas (yet is the status quo always bad?) Sometimes uses hard to understand vocabulary

+ Conclusions Social theories are used to make sense of the social world Functionalist, Conflict and Critical Theories are three well known/commonly use theories in sociology Next day: Feminist Theory and Interactionist Theory