Sport the Body and Society

Question 1

What is the sport ethic?

Answer 1

About the actual ethics, the actual preferences, priorities etc. that exist in elite athletic subcultures.

Question 2

(Hughes and Coakley, 1991) What are the 4 norms of the sport ethic?

Answer 2

Making sacrifices for the game.
Striving for distinction.
Accepting risks and playing through pain.
Refusing to accept limits in the pursuit of possibilities.

Question 3

What is athletic identity?

Answer 3

Confirming one’s self-conception as an athlete and being socially recognised as an athlete.

Question 4

Why is athletic identity considered powerful?

Answer 4

Because there’s more than just extrinsic awards e.g. money, awards etc. available.
Being an athlete confers positive identity on individuals.

Question 5

What is over conformity?

Answer 5

Trying too hard at something, doing too much of what you’re supposed to be doing.

Question 6

What does positive deviance refer to?

Answer 6

Something which is accepted/celebrated within sports subcultures, but outside of wider cultures norms of legitimacy. (E.g. performance enhancing drugs)

Question 7

What is under conformity?

Answer 7

Not meeting the normally accepted range of action e.g. not turning up to training sessions.

Question 8

Examples of over conforming to the sports ethic?

Answer 8

Painkiller abuse.
Playing whilst hurt.
Disordered eating.
Lying about disability.
Etc.