Lesson 1:

Sports as a Social Institution SOCII.3.1 Describe the evolution of sports in society.

SOCII.3.2 Identify and assess current issues in sports.

Essential Questions:

How does the institution of sports meet basic social needs?

How does sports change over time?

Learning Target:

To be able to explain what makes a sport a sport, how competition varies by types, and the characteristics that make sports a social

institution. Using this knowledge, you will be able to identify these characteristics in contemporary sports and explain how they are evident.

The Sociology of Sports

Entrance Ticket: Writing Prompt

• Get out a sheet of paper and split it in half (use ½ for this, the other ½ for the exit ticket)

• Answer these questions in a full paragraph:– What is your favorite sport? Why?– Are you a participant or a spectator of this sport?– When you participate or watch this sport, what do

you feel as an individual?– What do you feel as a part of the team/crowd?

• Keep until we have discussed, then turn in.

SportSportA set of competitive activities in which A set of competitive activities in which winners and losers are determined by winners and losers are determined by physical performance within a set of physical performance within a set of

established rules.established rules.

•Sociologists say it to be considered a Sociologists say it to be considered a sport sport it must have: it must have:

competitioncompetition, , physical skillphysical skill, , rulesrules

CompetitionCompetitionThe act of striving with another or others The act of striving with another or others to attain a goal.to attain a goal.

THREE TYPES OF COMPETITIONTHREE TYPES OF COMPETITION::

Direct competitionDirect competition

Indirect competitionIndirect competition

Against a standard competitionAgainst a standard competition

Direct CompetitionDirect Competition• Individual vs. individualIndividual vs. individual

• Team vs. teamTeam vs. team

Examples: football, soccer, tennis, Examples: football, soccer, tennis, swimmingswimming

Indirect Indirect CompetitionCompetition

• Athletes take turns participating in the Athletes take turns participating in the same skill/eventsame skill/event

• Can be team or individualCan be team or individual

Examples: bowling, ski jumping, discus, Examples: bowling, ski jumping, discus, high jump,javelin, etc.high jump,javelin, etc.

Against a Standard Against a Standard CompetitionCompetition

• Individual Athlete or teams compete Individual Athlete or teams compete against each other indirectly against each other indirectly

• Performance is based on a pre-set Performance is based on a pre-set standard, i.e. “perfect 10”standard, i.e. “perfect 10”

Examples: gymnastics, diving, ice skatingExamples: gymnastics, diving, ice skating

History of Sports…• Sports have existed for thousands

of years– Games like lacrosse, field hockey,

rugby, soccer, etc. were used as training for hunting or warfare

– Even sports such as swimming and fishing developed out of essential tasks

The History of Sports…

• Religious Nature of Sports

-Sports were a significant part of religious life

-Often the platform for honor gods (Olympics, tournaments, etc.)

-Part of the honoring of warriors in

funeral rites

The History of Sports…• Sports throughout history have

reflected the social norms of the time

– Ancient Greece: bull leaping, wrestling, foot and chariot races

The History of Sports…

• Ancient Rome: gladiators, foot and chariot races

• Athletes were celebrities

• They would be given free meals, money, pensions, and be

well taken care of

The History of Sport…

• During the Middle Ages, sports like jousting, sword fighting, etc. were used as a way to keep nobility “busy” between wars

• Until the mid-1800s, sport is reserved for the upper-class

History of Sports…

• Now popular (upper and middle class) games like England’s cricket develop out of games played by the poor of society and children

History of Sports…

• American baseball, football, and basketball develop from the mid-1800s– a split develops between professionals

and amateurs– Pros become popular– College teams develops

History of Sports…• Today, sports is a large part of our society

and culture (a social phenomena)--Professional Sports

• Major Leagues (MLB, NFL, NHL, NBA, MLS)• Minor Leagues (ECHL, MLB farm teams, etc.)

--Collegiate Sports (NCAA, BCS)

--School and Public Children’s Sports• Little League, Community Rec Leagues, etc.

Sports as an Sports as an InstitutionInstitution• Modern society sees SIX distinctive Modern society sees SIX distinctive

characteristics that make sports a social characteristics that make sports a social institutioninstitution (like the family, religion, (like the family, religion, education, the media, and politics)education, the media, and politics)

1.1. SecularizationSecularization

2.2. EqualityEquality

3.3. RationalizationRationalization

4.4. Specialization Specialization

5.5. BureaucratizationBureaucratization

6.6. QuantificationQuantification

SecularizationSecularization• The moving of sports from the realm of the The moving of sports from the realm of the

sacred (religious) to the profane (non-sacred (religious) to the profane (non-religious).religious).

• Sports is now its OWN institution, thus not Sports is now its OWN institution, thus not directly connected to religion.directly connected to religion.

• It can, however, retain some religious nature…It can, however, retain some religious nature…

EqualityEquality• The moving of participation in sports from The moving of participation in sports from

ascribedascribed status to status to achievedachieved status. status.

• While some sports are still based on social While some sports are still based on social class, most are based on the concept of class, most are based on the concept of eligibility—eligibility—athletes play because they have athletes play because they have earned right, not because of their income/status.earned right, not because of their income/status.

• The rules of play are consistent for all (for the The rules of play are consistent for all (for the most part most part ).).

SpecializationSpecialization• Sports in modern society are greatly refined.

• Within individual sports, specific roles are highly specialized.

• THE DIRECT RESULT OF SOCIAL EMPHASIS ON ACHIEVEMENT!

• Examples: team sport positions, individual sport specialties

RationalizationRationalization• Sports in modern society are calculated,

measured, and control behavior.

• It has lead to rules becoming official and standardized, and the development of leagues.

• This creates a consistency and allows for cultural transmission of sports—globalization.

BureaucratizatioBureaucratizationn• Like rationalization (the establishment of rules, leagues, consistency), it ORGANIZES these elements.

• Again, provides consistency and accountability.

QuantificationQuantification• The setting of measurement for competition.• To ensure “fair play” and uniformity.

• Examples:

Timers

Measurements

Weights

Exit TicketExit Ticket• Get out the “Characteristics in Current

Events” homework (green ½ sheet) and answer questions 1 and 2.

• If time, you may get out your device and look for an article to complete the rest for HOMEWORK—remember, a printed copy of the article must be attached