Sport, Socialisation and Sub-Cultures Flashcards
What is informal socialization in sports?
Informal socialization refers to the unstructured, spontaneous interactions among athletes that shape their understanding of norms, behaviors, and expectations within the sport.
How does status influence conversations in a sports team?
In team dynamics, members with higher status or physical prowess, like “B” with “14 [inch] biceps,” have more influence, and their opinions are more likely to be respected, which can affect the group’s behavior and responses to comments.
What are sports subcultures?
Subcultures are smaller cultures within the main culture of society, differing in norms and values while sharing many aspects with the dominant culture, particularly in sports contexts.
What are the stages of identity construction in sports subcultures?
Pre-socialization: Gaining knowledge about the sport.
Selection and recruitment: Associating with peers in the sport.
Socialization: Learning the norms and values of the subculture.
Acceptance/ostracism: Gaining recognition or facing exclusion from established members.
How do clothing and language function in sports subcultures?
Clothing and specific language (argot) serve as tools for impression management, helping athletes signal their identity and affiliation with the subculture, reinforcing group belonging.
Why is acceptance crucial in sports subcultures?
Acceptance from established members of a subculture is vital for confirming an athlete’s identity; failure to meet role requirements can lead to ostracism or banishment.
How do social relationships affect sport experiences?
Sport experiences are defined and given meaning through social relationships, grounded in cultural definitions influenced by characteristics like gender, race, ethnicity, social class, and sexuality.
Why are sports considered powerful sites of socialization?
Sports provide a context where individuals learn norms, values, and behaviors that are critical to their identity formation and social integration, impacting their broader social interactions.
What is socialization in sport?
Socialization in sport is “a process of learning how to accept and conform to cultural and social constraints embedded in social norms and roles” (Nixon and Frey, 1996).
Why is being socialized into sport considered a common cultural experience?
Being socialized into and through sport provides individuals with shared experiences, norms, and values that reflect broader societal expectations and cultural practices.
What do functionalist approaches emphasize regarding socialization in sport?
Functionalist approaches stress the ‘positive’ social learning outcomes of sport, claiming that participation helps build character and instills values such as teamwork and cooperation.
What does the Olympic Charter say about Olympism?
“Olympism is a philosophy of life, exalting and combining in a balanced whole the qualities of body, will and mind… seeking to create a way of life based on the joy found in effort” (Olympic Charter).
What benefits does Sport New Zealand attribute to regular participation in sport?
Regular participation in sport, especially team sports, is linked to improved social skills, social integration, competence, cooperation, and teamwork (The Value of Sport, 2017).
What factors are often overlooked in character-building claims for sports?
Claims are often unverified.
Different sports provide varied experiences.
Selection processes favor certain characteristics.
Individual differences lead to different definitions of sport experiences.
The automaticity and positivity of social learning are questioned.
