Learning Sociology Through Sports

Sociology

• Sociology is the scientific study of society and social behavior

• We focus on the group rather than the individual

• We study people as they form groups and interact with one another (social interaction)

• We study facts or events that involve human society (social phenomena)

Sociology (continued)

• We study small groups • married couples, close friends

• We study large groups• subcultures, suburban teenagers

• We study societies as individual entities…. • U.S. culture

• …..and as part of a global perspective• differences between lifestyles in Japan and the United

States

Sociology and the Other Social Sciences

• Social Sciences are disciplines that study human social behavior or institutions and the

functions of human society in a scientific matter

• Read the handout about these sciences and put it in your folder as part of your notes!

Other Social Sciences

• Psychology: study of human behavior and mental processes.

• Social Psychology: how the social environment affects an individual’s behavior and personality.

• Anthropology: studies the origins, physical and cultural development, and social customs and beliefs of cultures. It is the most similar to sociology. Often studies past cultures and simple societies.

Psychology

Anthropology

Other Social Sciences

• Political Science: studies the governments of societies.

• Economics: focuses on the production and distribution of society’s goods and services.

• History: the study of past events.

Economics

History

The Sociological Perspective

• Looking at life in a scientific, systematic way

• Getting rid of common-sense explanations and replacing them with a better understanding of hidden meanings behind human actions

• Helps you gain a new view of social life

The Sociological Perspective in Sports

• What does sport mean in our lives?

• How are these meanings constructed culturally and socially?

• What does it mean for individuals, groups, organizations, and society?

• Can sports help us understand society?

“The Sociological Imagination”

• Term expressed by C. Wright Mills in 1959• “The ability to see the connection between

the larger world and your personal life”• Reject your previous assumptions.• You must be able to pull away from the

situation and think from an alternate point of view

• Bird’s eye view

Questions for Discussion

• People should seek: – Individual Fulfillment– Harmony and respect within their community

Questions for Discussion

• Direct eye contact infers: – Attention and Respect– Disrespect and/or defiance

Questions for Discussion

• One’s future is controlled by: – Behaviors and actions– Fate

Questions for Discussion

• Gender roles should be: – Loosely defined– Clearly defined

Try to Avoid Ethnocentrism

• Ethnocentrism: a tendency to judge all cultures in terms of one’s own. A belief that one’s own culture is morally, intellectually, or aesthetically superior to all others

• As sociologists, we try to avoid ethnocentrism in our research

• Is it possible to completely avoid ethnocentrism?

Cultural Relativism

• The position that there are no universal cultural values or ideas. A culture can only be understood on its own terms, not from the perspectives of other cultures. Ethical and moral standards are relative.

Cultural Relativism

Our Goals

We want to understand the relationship:

• between the individual and the social

• between the patterns, practices, and events in the broader social world and in our lives

3 Different Approaches to Understand Culture and Sports

Why is the critical approach challenging?

• Why does it make us uncomfortable, angry, or upset?- Because it creates cognitive dissonance: our thinking is challenged by new ideas that are not in harmony with what and how we currently think

• Can cognitive dissonance be positive?Yes, it can provide the power for change both individually and collectively

Thinking Critically vs. Being Critical

• We develop social consciousness about sport• We recognize problems and possibilities of sport• We avoid unthinking acceptance of current

practices• We are committed to sport while also to change it

when necessary• Sport is not just a game; it is a serious piece of our

culture (i.e. film, TV, advertisement, clothing)

Be ready to think and challenge yourself!

• Sociology is controversial• We will talk about topics that will make you

disagree with others’ opinions• Come ready to debate and listen • Be ready to test your statements with

objective facts. • We try to study the social world as scientists

And Stay Awake in Class! Participate!

The Critical Approach

• Let’s try the critical approach with this article on cyclist Lance Armstrong

• Why does the author say that this situation has created cognitive dissonance?

DAY 1 - THE END