Florencio Jacobo

History and Sociology of Sport

Social Theories Assignment
Theory
How it looks at Preferred
the world
method of
research
Functionalist
Emphasizes
Quantitative
theory
maintenance
survey
of the status
research
quo and
equilibrium

Conflict theory

Sees
economic
interests as
shaping the
world. Those
who have
power exploit
those who do
not. Change is
inevitable, and
struggle on
the part of
repressed
classes is
expected

Societal
Analysis

Critical theory

Views life as
complex and
diverse. Order
is obtained
through

Societal
Analysis

Major
concerns as it
looks at sport
Sport is a
valuable social
institution that
helps build
character and
instill values.
Competition is
valuable, and
high
performance
is a critical
outcome of a
sport
participation.
Sport benefits
the individuals
and
organizations
in power to
the detriment
of the
participants
and working
class. Athletes
should have
more control
over their
sport destiny
and quality of
experience.

Sport must
change to be
fair to
everyone,
more

Examples

Media
coverage
emphasizes
more on male
athletes and
overlooks
womens
sports. Even
everyday
discussions
relating to
sport rely on
functionalist
theory.
FIFA, the so
called
nonprofit
organization.
They have
billions of
dollars. For
example, they
made women
play in turf
throughout
the world cup
as a cheaper
alternative.
Built million
dollar
stadiums that
arent even in
use today for
the world cup
in Brazil.
Money should
be used for
something
better.
Change,
increase, and
diversify sport
participation
opportunities.

Florencio Jacobo
History and Sociology of Sport
Social Theories Assignment
struggles over
ideology and
power. A
better life for
all citizens is
the goal.
Sports do not
simply mirror
society; they
provide
opportunity to
change
society.

Feminist
theory

Views social
life as based
on a
patriarchal
ideology and
controlled by
men in
powerful
positions.
Argues that
feminist
virtues are
ignored or
undervalued.

Quantifiable
questionnaires
, societal
analysis,
ethnography,
and content
research

Interactionist
theory

Views the
world from the
bottom up
rather than
from the top
down. Focuses
on social
relationships
between
people. People
make
conscious

Qualitative
ethnographic
research

democratic,
and sensitive
to diversity.
Sport can help
us improve
our outlook
toward
gender,
physical or
mental
disability,
sexual
orientation,
and physical
talent.
Females lack
equal
opportunity in
sport. There is
a lack of
women in
coaching and
leadership
positions.
Traditional
masculine
traits of
competitivene
ss and
aggressivenes
s conflict with
traditional
feminine traits
like sensitivity
and nurturing.
People choose
to participate
in sport in
various ways,
and the
quality of the
experience for
the athlete is
important.
Sport
organizations
should be

Not being able

to participate
in a sport
because of the
overall
assumption
that females
cant play a
males sport,
even thought
that is false.
Lack of media
support for
female sports.

People being
identified by
what sport
they play just
because of
their culture,
race, or
ethnicity.

Florencio Jacobo
History and Sociology of Sport
Social Theories Assignment
decisions on
how to
respond and
act toward the
outside world.

Figurational
theory

Emphasizes
the
connections
between
people and
their
interdependen
ce. Views
change that
occurs over
time.

Historical
Research

open and
democratic.
Youth sport
should fit the
needs and
desires of
kids.
Sport exists as
a part of
society viewed
historically
and over the
long term.
Sport tends to
focus on
masculinity
and male
power.
Developments
in sport are
seen in the
context of
global
processes.

Seeing
athletes as
strong, the
best,
physically fit.
Some people
dont view
video gaming
as a sport,
dancing,
cheerleading
as a sport, but
it is. Part of
society is
revolving on
the past, not
the present.
The word
sport is being
defined in a
new way.