Fuctionalism Flashcards
What is the role of sport in bringing communities together?
Sport highlights commonalities, bridges cultural and ethnic divides, and serves as a powerful tool for conflict prevention and peacebuilding.
What does the UN report say about sport’s impact?
Sport can cut across societal barriers, supporting conflict prevention and peacebuilding efforts, as outlined in “Sport for Development and Peace” (2005).
What does functionalism emphasize in the context of sport?
Functionalism views sport as a means to promote social cohesion and integration, highlighting its ability to both reinforce and transcend social cleavages.
What does Lever (1980) argue about soccer in Brazilian society?
Soccer helps to cohere Brazilian society, illustrating a paradox of integrating diverse groups while also reflecting existing social divides.
What are some weaknesses of functionalist theory?
Ignores societal conflict and inequalities
Assumes a meritocratic society
Fails to address disintegrative tendencies (Merton, 1957)
Overemphasizes social order while neglecting power dynamics
Presents individuals as “over-socialized” without autonomy
Assumes equal benefits from sports across all social groups
What does functionalism overlook in the development of sport?
Functionalism fails to appreciate the importance of power as a factor influencing sport’s development and its impact on various social groups.
How do sport and physical recreation contribute to society?
They enhance social cohesion at individual, family, community, and national levels, fostering community identity and pride.
What is the basic premise of Functionalist Theory?
Society is made up of interlocking institutions (e.g., family, education, economy) that collectively maintain coherence and stability.
What does the ‘organic analogy’ in Functionalism refer to?
It likens society to a living organism where each institution functions to maintain the health and stability of the whole.
What is the function of societal institutions according to Functionalism?
Each institution contributes to the maintenance and coherence of society, even addressing deviance through punishment to reinforce norms.
What type of approach is Functionalism?
Functionalism is a macro sociological approach that focuses on how institutions create and sustain society.
How does Functionalism view social order?
Functionalism assumes that social order is based on consensus, shared values, and the integration of individuals within society.
What is socialization in the context of Functionalism?
Socialization is a lifelong process where individuals learn the culture, norms, values, and customs of their society (Browne, 1992).
How does Functionalism view social status?
Functionalism sees society as meritocratic, where status is based on ability and effort, making inequality a necessary aspect of societal functioning.
How is sport viewed in Functionalist Theory?
Sport is seen as a social institution that contributes to societal equilibrium and reinforces cultural values such as fair play and teamwork.
