Social World/Sport/Social World
Social world shapes sport, sport shapes social world
Norms in one sport are NOT equal to norms in another sport; fighting in hockey does not mean fighting in track
What is Sociology
- study of human social behaviour: role/function/meaning of sport, across dif contexts/societies/times
- interested in: social interactions, social structures/institutions, social rules/norms/ideologies/processes
- rely on extrinsic explanations of social issues and behaviours
Sports = Socially Constructed
The meaning, purpose, organization of sports:
- are created and recreated by people
- no universally agreed upon definition
- changes over time and place
Academic View of Sport
- formally organized (institutionalized)
- competitive
- physical activity (complex)
- regulated by standardized rules
Formally Organized Sport
- a governing body creates and polices a standard set of rules
- training is important
- equipment and playing fields are standardized
- tournaments and leagues are established
Informal Sport
Self-initiated; less standardized rules; intrinsic motivation
Examining Social Phenomena
Global: countries and cultures
Macro: social institutions, social identities
Micro: small groups, direct interaction
Social Structure
- patterns in society
- appearance of “natural” boundaries, limits, and rules (‘common sense’)
- associated with different resources
- financial institutions
- material resources
- Human Resources
Agency
Ability to act freely and make own choices
Power
Ability to influence others and achieve goals, through the use of resources
Hegemony
When people, with power, establish dominant ideologies that become common sense and we don’t question them
