Social Theories

Question 1

List the 6 social theories

Answer 1

1. Functionalist Theory
2. Feminist Theories
3. Figurational Theory
4. Interactionist Theory
5. Conflict Theory
6. Critical Theory

Question 2

What is Functionalist theory? Include strengths and weaknesses

Answer 2

• views society as a system of interrelated parts working together to maintain stability and social order.
• Each part of society, such as institutions, norms, and behaviors (like sports), serves a specific function that contributes to the overall functioning of society.
• equilibrium when everything works properly

Strengths:
1. Promotes social cohesion/unity
2. development of social skills and values
3. promote Physical and MH

Weaknesses:
1. Overstates the positive consequences of sport in society
2. Assumes that all social groups benefit equally and ignores issues of disadvantage

Question 3

What is Conflict theory? Include strengths and weaknesses

Answer 3

• argues that society is made up of groups with competing interests, where powerful groups control resources at the expense of marginalised
• Social class shapes society and relationships (focuses on the inequalities of different groups in society)
• Sports are tools of the wealthy

Strengths:
1. highlights social inequalities - marginalisation
2. emphasises how conflict can drive social change
3. looks at influence of wealth/power => reveals hidden bias/interest

Weaknesses:
1. Assumes all social life is “economically determined”
2. Ignores the importance of gender, race & ethnicity, age, and other factors in social life
3. Ignores the possibility that sport participation can be a personally and socially empowering experience

Question 4

What is Interactionist theory? Include strengths and weaknesses

Answer 4

• focuses on the small-scale, everyday interactions between individuals and how they shape society.
• Society is created and maintained through social interaction
• Sports are given meaning as people interact with each other
• Meaning we give sport can change – through interaction

Strengths:
1. insight to meaning individuals give to interactions
2. importance of personal experiences in shaping identity and social roles.
3. helps explain the fluid nature of social norms, showing how they evolve through individual interactions

Weaknesses:
1. Ignores issues of power and power relations in society and how they impact sport, sport participation, and sport experiences
2. Ignores impact of larger institutions

Question 5

What is Critical theory? Include strengths and weaknesses

Answer 5

• focus on power, inequality, and social justice.
• By critically analyzing these power dynamics, critical theory aims to empower individuals and promote social change
• Sports are sites where culture and social relations are produced and changed

Strengths:
1. engourages questioning of power structures and inequality
2. promotes social justice

Weaknesses:
1. Complexity of issues => hard to get practical application
2. No unified strategies for dealing with social problems

Question 6

What is Feminist theory? Include strengths and weaknesses

Answer 6

• Social order is based primarily on the values, experiences, and interests of men with power
• Sports are gendered activities grounded primarily in the values and experiences of men with power and influence

Strengths:
1. highlights inequalities
2. advocates for social change and policy change for equality

Weaknesses:
1. Fragmentation: diverse perspectives result in disagreement = disunity
2. Overgeneralisation
3. focus on gender at expense of other issues

Question 7

What is Figurational theory? Include strengths and weaknesses

Answer 7

• focuses on the concept of “figurations,” which refers to the patterns of social relationships
• Focuses on the social interdependencies between individuals and groups in sports, how it influences behaviour
• historical, social cultural evolution of sport
• Assumes that sports are exciting activities that relieve boredom and control violence “civilising process”

Strengths:
1. comprensive perspective on social interdependancies in sport
2. Historical insight helps understand current sport spychology issues

Weaknesses:
1. Gives too little attention to problems & struggles that affect day-to-day lives
2. Understates the consequences of oppressive power relations
3. Not enough attention to the experiences of women and gender inequities that affect their lives