sm 319 Ultimate Study Guide

Sociology

The study of social worlds that people create, organize, maintain, and change through their relationships with one another.

Social World

An identifiable group of people.

Social Structure

Established, enduring patterns of relationships and social interactions within a group or society.

Culture

The shared social structures and collective ways of life characteristic of a given group or society.

Sport

Competitive physical activity guided by established rules.

Sport Pyramid

A hierarchical representation of the relationships between work, sport, games, and play.

Functionalist Theory

Examines the roles sport serves in preserving stability within society.

Interactionalist Theory

Explores how individuals become involved in sport and experience athletic participation.

Conflict Theory

Investigates how sport reflects, perpetuates, and reinforces imbalances in wealth and power.

Critical Theory

Examines historical social structures to identify how society can be transformed for the better.

Values

Criteria, principles, and ideals by which individuals evaluate people, actions, behaviors, and ideas.

Teleological Theories

Outcome-focused ethical theories that judge actions based on the consequences they yield.

Deontological Theories

Action-focused ethical theories that judge actions based on adherence to rules and moral principles.

BIRGing

The social tendency to associate with successful groups or figures to elevate personal self-esteem.

CORFing

The tendency to distance oneself from a group after defeat to protect individual self-esteem.

Deviance

Ideas, traits, or behaviors that fall outside the socially defined acceptable range of normality.

Aggression

Verbal or physical actions executed with the intent to dominate or intimidate another person.

Violence

Direct application of excessive physical force that causes potential harm.

Sports as a social construction

Understanding sport as an entity constructed by human beings that can be altered for social change.

Ethical Dilemma

A complex scenario requiring a choice between two or more competing values.

Core American Values in Sport

Competition, success, valued means to achieve, materialism, progression, social conformity, and hope.

Altruism

An ethical framework prioritizing the well-being of others above self-interest.

Utilitarianism

Making decisions that maximize the greatest good for the most people.

The Golden Rule

The moral principle of treating others as one would want to be treated.

Socialization

An active, ongoing process of learning and adapting behaviors and attitudes within a social context.

Negative Socialization

Occurs when sports constrain an individual's identities and relationships.

Positive Socialization

Occurs when athletic participation enriches an individual's experiences and identities.

Sport deviances

Behaviors that violate the norms established by sport, such as cheating or doping.

Commercialization and Sport Violence

The amplification of violence in sports for entertainment value and financial gain.