Sociological Foundations

1
Chapter 8

• Sociological Foundations

2
Sociology Defined

• The study of people, groups, institutions, and
  human activities in terms of social behavior and
  social order within society.
• Religion
• Family
• Government
• Education
• Leisure

3
Sport Sociology-Defined

• The examination of the relationship between sport
  and society.
• Factors associated with the creation/organization
  of sport.
• Relationship between sport and family,
  education, politics, economy, media and religion.
• Influence of sport on an individuals beliefs.
• Social dynamics is sport settings.
• The social process associated with sport.

4
Main Goals of Sport Sociology

• To look at PA with a penetrating gaze that goes
  beyond our common understanding of social life.
• To identify and analyze patterns of change and
  stability in PA.
• To critique PA programs in order to identify
  problems and recommend changes leading to the
  enhancement of equality and human well-being.

5
Historical Development

• Emerged in the Late 1960s.
• Traced back to mid/late 1800s-study done in
  connection to the nature of sport and how these
  activities contributed to the development and
  building of character.
• 1899-Thorstein Veblen wrote The Theory of the
  Leisure Class.

6
Historical Development - Continued

• 1950s Increase in interest in this area.
• 1953-Frederick Cozens and Florence Stumpf
  published, Sports in American Life.
• 1961-Roger Cailloiss, Man, Play and Games
• 1965 Gerald Kenyon and John Loy authored,
  Toward a Sociology Sport.

7
Historical Development - Continued

• 1964-International Committee of Sport Sociology
  was created which in 1994 became the
  International Sociology of Sport Association.
• 1976-AAHPER founded the Sociology of Sport
  Academy.

8
Areas of Study

• Does sport participation build character?
• Does sport participation prepare individuals for
  life?
• Does sport help minorities?
• How does the mass media affect sport?
• What are the effects of youth sport?
• How do coaches influence athletes lives?

9
Sport - Defined

• An activity that involves physical skill,
  prowess, or exertion.
• Institutionalized and competitive.
• Participants must be motivated by both intrinsic
  and extrinsic rewards.
• Serves as a definition for Sports Socilogists.

10
Sport in Educational Institutions

• High School Sport
• Sport in the Public Schools is popular and
  continues to grow.
• Sport in schools is a debatable question.
• Overemphasis on winning
• Sport Specialization
• Undesirable coaching behaviors
• Restricting opportunities for participation-Eligib
  ility/Pay to Play
• Drug Abuse
• Soaring Costs
• Pressures

11
Sport in Educational Institutions

• Intercollegiate Sports
• Regulated by NCAA, NAIA, NJCAA. These
  associations attempt to administer
  intercollegiate athletic programs in accordance
  with educational principles.
• Overemphasis on winning
• Academic Achievement of Athletes-Proposition
  48,42,16
• Big Business
• Exploitation of Athletes
• CALL FOR REFORM

12
Sport in Educational Institutions

• Girls and Women in Sport
• Increased numbers
• Federal Legislation-Title IX
• Womens Movement
• Fitness Movement
• Increased Public Awareness

13
Sport in Educational Institutions

• Minorities in Sport
• Sport for Individuals with Disabilities
• Sport for Children and Youth
• Violence
• Substance Abuse