The Sociology of Sport
and Physical Activity
But, why?
Objectives
Understand the meaning of sociology and how it ties into sport
and physical activity.
Understand the importance of sport and why we study it.
Become aware of the various elements that affect sport and, in
turn, are affected by sport.
Understand sport as a social construct.
Explore various terms that will be used throughout the semester.
Most importantly, relax! This is only the beginning.
Sociology
The study of human social behaviour, especially the
investigation of the origins, classifications, institutions,
and development of human society.
We look at social interactions between humans, groups,
and societies.
We examine the ways in which social structures, power
relations, and institutions enable and constrain
individuals and groups.
We seek to understand social situations and social
phenomena. And maybe, just maybe, make a difference.
Sociology of Sport
Research concerned with relationships between sport
and society.
We look at the role of sport in social and cultural life.
What do we study:
Social agents (humans) – Example? Coaches, fans, sport
directors, etc.
Institutions and social structures
Processes that occur within sport
Sociology of Sport
Instead of…
Sport is a reflection or a mirror of society (popular belief)
Think…
Sport is a world in its own right with its own life and own contradictions.
Looking beyond the psychology
Rather than looking at why someone would use
performance-enhancing drugs (steroids) on a
personal level (psychology)
Sociology looks at…
Structural issues with the sport itself
Higher demands of high-performance sports
Higher financial rewards.
Sociological Variables
Gender
Race
Age
Social Class
Education levels
Geographic locations
Socioeconomic status
What is sport anyways?
“Sport is a physical activity that can be competitive yet fun, practiced towards a specific goal which follows rules
(often written) and a sporting spirit defined around the idea of equity, loyalty, and the desire to win.” (Donald
Guay, 1997; translated by me.)
Recognizes that each person has different capabilities or a different situation and
allocates the necessary resources and opportunities to reach an equal outcome.
What about Modern Sport?
Modern sport specifically. 7 characteristics according to Allen Guttman to separate Modern sport and Ancient Sport:
Secularism – Not bound to religious ceremonies or centered around religious organizations or festivals. Not played to honor a god.
Equality – Participation for all***.
Specialization – Athletes are specialized. With the example of American Football, positions are filled by individuals who train for that
specific “job”.
Rationalization – Sport is scientific. Athletes are trained using scientific methods and follow prescribed diets and routines.
Bureaucratization – Part of a larger structure. Governing bodies make rules, set games, keep records.
Quantification – Everything is measured and tracked.
Records – We find a certain obsession with records. Best example being the medal count.
Usain Bolt setting a new 100m sprint world record in 2009.
Sport divided into 4 categories
Sport-Education
Sport in the education system. In Canada, from ages 6 to the end of high school sport is a universal practice. In this
case, sport becomes mandatory.
Sport-Participation
Considered sport for the masses, or sport for all. Linked to the idea of health and personal entertainment. Defined
by a sense of ‘free-play’. Can be any sporting activity played anywhere.
In Canada, since 1971, the ParticipACTION program promotes the importance of physical activity among Canadians.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bTlxH71hEiI
Elite Sport
Category restricted to a minority who have mastered specific techniques related to their sport of choice. Oriented
towards the training of champions via sport federations, sporting clubs, competitions, and organising committees.
2004 – Own the Podium (À nous le podium). “For Canada to be a world leader in high performance sport at the
Olympic and Paralympic Games.” https://www.ownthepodium.org/en-CA/
Game Plan ’76, Mission 76, Best Ever.
Sport-Spectacle
Assisting to a spectacle; not participating. A commercial activity focused on consumption in order to make a profit.
There was a time when governments would finance venues
The Importance of Sport or, why are we doing this class
together?
Sport is omnipresent.
The Importance of Sport or, why are we doing this class
together?
Bianca Andreescu winning the US Open in 2019.
Sidney Crosby celebrating his “golden goal” securing Canada’s gold medal at the 2010
Olympics .
Sport defines us.
The Importance of Sport or, why are we doing this class
together?
Sport unites us. Sport divides us.
The Importance of Sport or, why are we doing this class
together?
We play sport.
We “fantasize” sport.
We watch sport. We discuss sport.
The Importance of Sport or, why are we doing this class
together?
We learn through sport. We teach through sport.
The Importance of Sport or, why are we doing this class
together?
Wrestling in Ancient Greece.
Sport has been around for a LONG time.
The Importance of Sport or, why are we doing this class
together?
The 1936 Berlin Olympics. Also known as the Nazi Olympics.
Sport teaches us about politics, geography, sociology, medicine, psychology.
The Importance of Sport or, why are we doing this class
together?
*By studying sport, you are studying everything around it.
Sport is shaped by external issues which in turn allows us to learn about those issues.
Through sport, we learn about society and culture.
Physical activity, and the body
Understand that, while bodies are in fact,
biological entities, they are also social and
cultural entities.
To fully understand the body, we must
understand the social and cultural contexts
that the body exists within.
The same sociological variables as seen apply
to the body and its cultural meaning.
The Sociological Imagination
We see and interpret the world from our own personal
and individualized perspectives.
These perspectives are grounded in our surroundings:
families, jobs, neighborhoods, friendships.
We have a tendency to attribute our success and
failures to our own personal initiatives and abilities.
The Sociological Imagination
A sociological way of thinking encourages us to see
that our opportunities and challenges are also
pressured, shaped, and directed by broader social and
historical forces.
We must move beyond individualized ways of seeing the
understanding the world.
The Sociological Imagination
The ability to grasp history (the social) and biography (the personal)
and the relations between the two within society.
The Sociological Imagination
The Sociological Imagination
Personal troubles of milieu Public issues of social structure
(our personal troubles) (pertain to the organization and larger
structures – cannot be resolved by simply
making changes in your personal life)
Hectic schedules A global economic crash
Pressure competitive hockey puts on the Increased cost as hockey becomes more
child (your job as a parent to help them) competitive
Dealing with difficult coaches and parents This, specifically addressed income
inequality; a social problem.
Finances
These can usually be solved in our own
personal milieu.
The Sociological Imagination - Sensitivities
Historical Sensitivity Comparative Sensitivity Critical Sensitivity
Understanding that society and Basically the goal of this class and of
sport have been socially university.
Personal experience must be constructed according to different
understood in larger frames of meanings and forms in various Have you think critically about
history and historical change. cultures. relationships of power and social
change.
We learn about other cultures and
come to appreciate and respect And maybe come up with a solution
To truly understand the sporting diversity. down the road.
present, you must understand the
past. We see that sport isn’t the same
everywhere, and that’s okay!
Key Concepts for the Term
Social Structure: Patterned relationships that connect different parts of society to
one another. For example individuals and political structures.
What encompasses/controls us, go against it (increased use of agency) = deviant
Agency: Ability of individuals and groups to act independently in a goal-oriented
manner and to pursue their own free choices to both act and shape society.
Free will, restricted by
laws
Karl Marx: “It is indeed people who make history (agency), but not under the
circumstances that they have freely chosen.”
Resources: The capacities that enable individuals or groups to engage in various
practices – basically what you have (financial, material, human)
Power: The capacity of a person or group of persons to employ resources of different
types in order to secure outcomes, even against opposition.
Result in
institutions
Power and Sport
With power, someone can: Idea of Power: Some things will benefit
certain individuals more than others
Structure sport in preferred ways and institutionalize these preferences in sports
rules and organizations.
Remember, make a way to play, the way to play.
Establish selective sports traditions (national anthem for example)
Define the range of “legitimate” practices and meanings associated with dominant
sports practices.
We see here that sport is a social practice shaped by broader power relations and
that it benefits some individuals and groups more than others.
See you Next Week!
