Sport and Society

Question 1

Define Society?

Answer 1

An organised group of people associated for some specific purpose or with a shared common interest.

Question 2

Define Internalisation?

Answer 2

The learning of values or attitudes that are incorporated within yourself.

Question 3

Define Socialisation?

Answer 3

A lifelong process where members of society learn its norms, values, ideas, practices and roles in order to take their place in that society.

Question 4

Define Primary Socialisation?

Answer 4

This refers to socialisation during the early years of childhood which takes place mainly within the immediate family (i.e mother,
father, brothers, sisters).

Question 5

Define Secondary Socialisation?

Answer 5

This occurs during the later years (e.g as teenagers and adults) when the family is less involved and other ‘agencies’ are deliberately set up for the socialisation process and begin to exert more and more influence (e.g, peer groups, friends, schools).

Question 6

Define Gender Socialisation?

Answer 6

Involves the learning of behaviour and attitudes historically considered appropriate for a given sex. E.g ‘Boys learn to be boys’ and ‘Girls learn to be girls’.

Question 7

Define Social Control?

Answer 7

An alteration in the social order of society.

Question 8

Define Social Change?

Answer 8

The act of learning to confront / conform to culturally defined gender roles.

Question 9

What are examples of Social Change?

Answer 9

Gender Inequalities
Ethnic Inequalities
Disabled Inequalities 
Socio-economic Inequalities
‘Cricket for change’

Question 10

Define Social Issues?

Answer 10

Problems that affect many people in society.

Question 11

Name some Sporting Inequalities?

Answer 11

Lack of money/cost of participation
Lack of self confidence/ self esteem
Lack of role models/ coaches/ leaders or people of responsibility
Myths or Stereotypes about ability- women, ethnic minorities, or disabled people.

Question 12

What is the memory tool for Sporting Inequalities?

Answer 12

M- Money
R- Role Models
M- Myths
C- Confidence

MR/MC

Question 13

Define Inequality?

Answer 13

The unfair situation where resources or opportunities are distributed unevenly within society.

Question 14

Define Social Structures?

Answer 14

Organised pattern of social relationships and institutions that make up society; class is common structure in UK.

Question 15

Define Stratification?

Answer 15

System of rankings within society, e.g. by wealth, power, etc.

Question 16

Define Social Class?

Answer 16

A term used to define social inequalities, ie certain groups have more access to wealth, income and power than other. Factors which contribute to social class include a person’s job, family background, education and income.

Question 17

How does Stratification influence Sport?

Answer 17

Disposable income affects participation. The rich get more than the poor. Low income can mean poorer health, this may lead to poor sporting performance. Low income means less to spend on equipment and coaching. State schools situated in more affluent areas often have better sports facilities.

Question 18

How can Social Class affect people’s Sport?

Answer 18

Activities may be negatively affected by working class expectations, (for example, carrying out domestic responsibilities, looking after siblings, household chores).

Question 19

Define the Social Action Theory?

Answer 19

This is a way of viewing socialisation, emphasising the active roles people have in shaping society/social life, i.e based on social action such as our interactions and negotiations with each other. Social action theorists argue that people’s behaviour and life-chances are not determined by their social background. Instead, social action theorists emphasises the role of the active individual and interactions between people in shaping personal identity and in turn the wider society.

Question 20

Define the interactionist approach?

Answer 20

The Interactionist approach is the study of how individuals behave within a society. Interactionism works from the individual towards society and stresses the fact that it is people who actually create society. It’s the way people communicate and interact (e.g via language/gestures).

Question 21

Explain the interactionist approach in sport?

Answer 21

In explaining sport, the theory is mainly concerned with peoples experiences of sports people and how they would interact with each other in social groups and in turn how they affect external social factors. The interactionist theory is helpful in understanding how to change sports to match the perspectives and identities of those playing them.

Question 22

Explain the social action theory/the interactionist approach?

Answer 22

Social action theory/the interactionist approach views views sport and physical activity as a very important part of a society’s make-up.

Question 23

How can sport have an impact on the social/cultural fabric of society and how can society have an impact on sport?

Answer 23

• By highlighting inequality that exist between different class groups.
• By impacting on our beliefs concerning masculinity/femininity.
• By impacting on our ideas/beliefs about race (negative racist chants).
• By impacting on our ideas about ability and disability.

Question 24

Define Disability?

Answer 24

When a mental, physical or sensory impairment affects performance.

Question 25

Define Inclusiveness?

Answer 25

All people should have needs, abilities and aspirations recognised, understood and met within a supportive environment.

Question 26

Define Integration?

Answer 26

Able bodied and disabled people taking part in the same activity at the same time.

Question 27

Define Segregation?

Answer 27

People with disabilities participating separately with other disabled performers.

Question 28

Define Ethnic Groups?

Answer 28

People who have racial, religious, or linguistic traits in common.

Question 29

Define Race?

Answer 29

The physical characteristics of an individual.

Question 30

Define Racism?

Answer 30

A set of beliefs or ideas based on the assumption that races have distinct hereditary characteristics that give some races an intrinsic superiority over others, it may lead to physical or verbal abuse.

Question 31

Define Channelling?

Answer 31

Ethnic minorities may be pushed into certain sports and even certain positions within a team, based on the assumption about them.

Question 32

Define Stacking?

Answer 32

The disportionate concentration of ethnic minorities certain positions in a sport team, which tends to be based on the stereotype that they are more valuable for their physicality than their decision making and communication.

Question 33

Define Gender?

Answer 33

The biological aspect of a person, either a male or female.

Question 34

Define Sexism?

Answer 34

The belief that one sex is inferior to the other, usually women.

Question 35

Name causes of inequality?

Answer 35

• Lack of money / cost of participating
• Lack of confidence / self esteem
• Lack of role models as participants / coaches / positions of responsibilities in sports organisations.
• Myths over capabilities / damage to female body. Stereotypes of female role.

Question 36

Name some barriers to women participating in sport?

Answer 36

• Fewer role models / opportunities to become full time sports performers.
• Fewer Sponsorship opportunities.
• Negative impact of school PE programmes, e.g rules on showering / kit; lack of appealing choice of activities.
• Low levels of self esteem / body image issues.

Question 37

Name solutions to women participating in sport?

Answer 37

• Laws make sex discrimination unlawful.
• More women working - increased disposable income.
• Shared domestic responsibilities - more leisure time.
• Improved childcare provision / provide creches.
• Increased media coverage of women’s sport / more role models.

Question 38

Name some benefits of participating in regular physical activity?

Answer 38

• Decreased risk of developing heart disease / suffering a stroke.
• Avoidance of high / low blood pressure.
• Decreased risk of type 2 diabetes.
• Maintaining a healthy weight / decreased risk of obesity.
• Strengthening of bones and decreased risk of osteoporosis.
• Improved psychological / mental health and stress management; decreased risk of conditions such as anxiety / depression / emotional disturbance.
• Decreased risk of some cancers (e.g colon cancer and breast cancer).