Sport and Deviance Flashcards
What is the sport ethic?
The sport ethic is “a cluster of norms that many people in ‘performance’ sports have accepted and reaffirmed as the dominant criteria for defining what it means to be and successfully claim an identity as an athlete” (Coakley, 2001).
What are the core norms of the sport ethic?
Make sacrifices for “the game.”
Strive for distinction.
Accept risks and play through pain.
Accept no limits in the pursuit of possibilities.
What are the two types of deviant behavior in relation to the sport ethic?
Deviant Over-Conformity: Unquestioned acceptance of norms.
Deviant Under-Conformity: Ignoring or rejecting norms.
Provide examples of deviant over-conformity in sport
A rugby player amputates a finger to play in a match.
Painkilling injections used to continue playing.
Athletes ignoring injuries due to pressure to perform.
Give an example of deviant under-conformity.
A hockey player seeking a second opinion on an injury that a club doctor deems ‘okay’ is an example of deviant under-conformity.
Why do athletes engage in deviant over-conformity?
Desire to play and continue participation.
Group belonging and identity.
Increased likelihood of selection by conforming to the sport ethic.
Commercial amplification and media glorification of the sport ethic.
What are some consequences of the sport ethic?
Normalization and reward of risk-taking and injury.
High injury rates and over-training.
Development of eating disorders and body image issues.
Creation of a ‘culture of harm.’
How does the sport ethic impact athletes’ identities?
Many athletes do not identify their over-conformity as deviance; instead, it reaffirms their identities and reinforces their sub-cultural membership, despite its harmful consequences.
What is deviance in a social context?
Deviance is a socially proscribed departure from ‘normality’ (Abercrombie et al, 1994), operating beyond accepted norms and value systems. Deviant behavior may be socially condemned but is not necessarily illegal.
What does functionalist theory say about deviance?
Deviance involves an individual rejection of accepted goals or means of achieving goals. Conformity is equated with morality, and deviance is seen as a result of faulty socialization or inconsistencies in the social system.
How do functionalists propose to handle deviance in sport?
Functionalists view deviance as the fault of morally corrupt individuals who threaten the purity of sport. They advocate for regulation, punishment, and banning transgressors as a deterrent.
What is the Marxist perspective on deviance?
Marxist theory posits that economic elites define deviant behavior, with those lacking power more likely to be labeled as deviant. Deviant athletes are viewed as exploited laborers within a system characterized by inequalities.
What do critical theories suggest about deviance in sports?
Critical theories argue that most deviance in sports is not due to the moral bankruptcy of athletes or economic exploitation, but rather involves over-conformity to established norms. It must be understood within the normative context of sport cultures and the emphasis on “the sport ethic.”
What is the significance of over-conformity in the context of sport deviance?
Over-conformity to established norms in sports can lead to deviant behavior, as athletes may push boundaries to adhere to the sport ethic, potentially resulting in harmful consequences.
