Fundamentals of Kinesiology-EXAM 2

Sociology

The systematic or scientific study of human society and social influence.

Key Questions

How are communities formed? How does society function? How does nurture relate to nature? How does society influence our values and dreams?

Origins of Sociology

Established as a distinct discipline in the mid-1800s.

Auguste Comte

French founder of sociology who, inspired by the Industrial Revolution, believed sociology could be the science used to “conquer all social problems.”

History (Sociology Relationship)

Shows how different societies have been; contextualizes the present; society is a “historical phenomenon.”

Philosophy (Sociology Relationship)

Handles evaluation; while sociologists establish facts, philosophers ask what we should think about those facts.

Descriptive Claims

Describe what is the case; catalog facts and data about how society works.

Descriptive Claim Example

“Over half of American marriages end in divorce.”

Normative Claims

Describe how things should be; involve moral, ethical, or just/unjust evaluations.

Normative Claim Example

“Participating in football is immoral.”

The Tension (Descriptive vs Normative)

When a sociologist moves from description to evaluation, they are on “shaky ground” because they are moving into philosophy.

Aristotle

Said “Man is by nature a political animal,” meaning humans are communal and deliberative beings who order their lives together.

Social Reality

We are born into communities, given names, and inherit language and traditions we did not invent.

Expectations

Personal assumptions shaped by the social reality we live in.

Peter Berger

Argued that recognizing social influence (“seeing the machinery”) is the first step toward freedom.

Social Determinism

The belief that we are merely products of social influence; can lead to nihilism.

Nihilism

The belief in nothing; rejection of meaning or value.

Liberation (Berger)

The ability to recognize social influence and move toward freedom rather than being controlled by it.

Social Construction (Sport)

Sport is a set of human artifacts and institutions made and remade by people for people.

Quantifiable Methods

Experimentation, surveys, census data; produce hard data and numbers.

Qualitative Methods

Interviews, focus groups, ethnography (immersion in culture), and social analysis.

Functionalist Theory

Society is a system held together by shared values; sport promotes teamwork, responsibility, and excellence.

Functionalist Weaknesses

Accepts the status quo too quickly; falsely assumes sport is always positive.

Conflict (Marxist) Theory

Society is based on class and economic interests; sport is an economic tool used by the powerful to exploit the powerless.

Conflict (Marxist) Weaknesses

Ignores that sport can be empowering; reduces all values to money motives.

Critical Theory

Society is an illusion of power and oppression; seeks to unmask society and redefine norms.

Critical Theory Weaknesses

Prone to biased advocacy; refuses to acknowledge that some things may be innate or natural.

Feminist Theory

Society is understood through gender and sex; sport serves men’s interests and promotes hyper-masculinity and misogyny.

Feminist Theory Weaknesses

May assume recognition of difference is sexist; can be inflexible toward women who disagree.

Interactionist Theory

Identity is created through human interaction; sport should be democratic and foster identity development.

Interactionist Weaknesses

Can be impractical; assumes all authority is inherently bad.

Inherited (Sport)

Sports are given to us by those before us.

Political (Sport)

Sports involve decisions about how we order our lives together.

Shared (Sport)

Sports are experienced with teammates, opponents, and apprentices.

Passed On (Sport)

What we inherit, we eventually leave behind.

Sports Marketing/Sports Radio Talk

Focuses on storytelling, sales, content creation, and personal development within the sports industry.

Radio

In the business of storytelling.

Everyone Does Sales

Sales skills apply to everyone, regardless of career path.

Steve Jobs

Co-founder of Apple; example of innovation, vision, and persuasive marketing.

Content

The material or messaging created to engage an audience.

If Rejection Doesn’t Faze You, You Are Unstoppable

Resilience is key to success in sales and competitive industries.

Do Research Now

Take advantage of campus resources and opportunities early.

You Have to Make the Ask

Opportunities often require directly asking for them.

Surround Yourself with Driven People

Be around people with dreams who push themselves and others.

Matt Murney

Runs PGA tournaments; example of leadership in sports event management.

Sales

Offers unlimited income potential based on performance.

Thumb Your Nose at Conventional Wisdom

Be willing to challenge traditional thinking.

Prepare Now

Apply early and seek strong internships through campus connections.

Everything We Do Is Important

Every task should be done with purpose and intention.

Do It With a Purpose

Be intentional in actions and decisions.

The Blueprint Is Believing in Yourself

Confidence and self-belief are foundational to success.

Discipline and Consistency

Long-term success requires repeated, disciplined effort.

Body Language

Smile, light nod, and maintain eye contact to build trust and connection.

Compounding

Small consistent actions build into large long-term results.

Appearance Matters

Dress one level above expectations when unsure.

Food and Team Culture

Shared meals help teams celebrate and bond.

Table Rules

No phone on the table during meals or meetings.

Strip Mall Guy (Twitter/X)

Example emphasizing business insights and connectivity.

Connectivity

Answer phone calls and prioritize real conversation over texting.

When People Believe in You, Let Them

Accept support and rise to meet expectations.

Take a Sales Class

Formal sales education strengthens career opportunities.

Why Philosophy Matters in Kinesiology

Philosophy examines the meaning, purpose, and assumptions behind sport and physical activity and analyzes fairness, knowledge, value, beauty, and ethics in sport.

The Five Branches of Philosophy

Metaphysics, Epistemology, Axiology, Aesthetics, and Ethics.

Metaphysics

The study of reality; asks what something is.

Metaphysics in Kinesiology

Asks what sport is, what makes something a sport, and whether all sports share a common essence.

“One and the Many” Problem

How all sports can be different yet still belong to the same category.

Epistemology

The study of knowledge; asks how we know what we know.

Epistemology in Kinesiology

Questions whether scientific knowledge is superior, whether theory is more important than practical skill, and whether physical education is intellectually respectable.

Rationalism

Knowledge gained through reason, theory, and logic.

Empiricism

Knowledge gained through sensory experience.

Theoretical Knowledge vs. Practical Skill

Debate over whether book knowledge or hands-on ability is more important.

Axiology

The study of value; asks what is valuable.

Axiology in Sport

Questions whether athletics should value education, character, winning, money, or community.

Intrinsic Value

Something good in itself (joy of play, love of sport).

Extrinsic Value

Something good for what it produces (money, fame, scholarships).

Aesthetics

The study of beauty; asks what makes sport beautiful.

Aesthetics in Sport

Examines whether sport is art and whether efficiency, analytics, or obsession with winning harms beauty.

Ethics

The study of right and wrong and how we should treat others.

Ethics in Sport

Questions whether violence, doping, or intentional fouling are moral.

Deontology

Ethical theory focused on following rules.

Utilitarianism

Ethical theory focused on the greatest good for the greatest number.

Virtue Ethics

Ethical theory focused on character; we become what we practice.

Inductive Reasoning

Specific examples leading to a general conclusion.

Inductive Reasoning Example

Many sports involve physical skill, therefore all sports involve physical skill.

Deductive Reasoning

General principle leading to a specific conclusion.

Deductive Reasoning Example

If all ball games are sports and golf is a ball game, then golf is a sport.

Descriptive (Intuitive) Reasoning

Changing details to test definitions and boundaries.

Game

A voluntary attempt to overcome unnecessary obstacles.

Key Feature of Games

Freely chosen participation.

Rules in Games

Rules create the challenge and require inefficient methods.

Sport

A type of game.

Constitutive Rules

Rules that define how the game is played and completed.

Restorative Rules

Rules that restore play when disrupted (free throws, penalties, throw-ins).

Intentional Fouling Debate

Questions whether excessive restorative plays harm the active skill and flow of the game.

Philosophy in Sport

Helps analyze violence, fairness, doping, money in athletics, purpose of physical education, and character development.

Kinesiology

The study of movement that also examines meaning, value, ethics, and human nature.

Metaphysics = Reality

Branch of philosophy focused on what is real.

Epistemology = Knowledge

Branch focused on how we know.

Axiology = Value

Branch focused on what is valuable.

Aesthetics = Beauty

Branch focused on what is beautiful.