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S204 Sociology Lesson 10: Deviance in Sport (Positive & Negative…
S204 Sociology Lesson 10: Deviance in Sport
What is Deviance?
Definition
Deviance is any thought, action or feeling that runs contrary to social standards or expectations
Focus is usually on the negative impact of deviance. Eg:
cheating, criminality, drug abuse, sexual immorality or gambling
Deviant behaviours may lead to innovation. Eg:
"Fosbury Flop"
Behaviours that are not within norms of society
Deviance is not necessary criminal but illegal activities is likely to be unacceptable by society
In Sports
Can occur on-field or off-field
Is relative & situated behaviour
Varies by time. Eg:
nudity in the ancient Olympics is acceptable but not in today's context
Varies by situation. Eg :
Fighting in a bar is wrong but fighting in a boxing ring is acceptable
Actions accepted in sports may be deviant outside sports & actions accepted outside sports may be considered deviant in sports
Positive & Negative Deviance
Positive
Is defined as over-conformity to the rules/ ethic of sports.
Arise from unquestioned acceptance of sport ethic & the lack of control measure
Sport Ethic
Accepting pain & risk
Striving for improvement & Distinction
Refusing to accept limits
Sacrificing for the game through a commitment & willingness to pay the price to excel
Athletes overconform because
Playing sports is so exciting that athletes will do almost anything to stay involved
Being selected to play high performance sports depends on a perceived willingness to overconform
Exceeding normative boundaries increases excitement in people's lives because it increases the stakes associated with participation & bonds people together
Athletes are more likely to engage in positive deviant behaviour when they are
Commitment to the team
Sees achievement in the sports as the only way to get ahead or gain respect
Low in self-esteem & are easily manipulated by coaches
Male players regard being an athlete as equivalent as being a man
Highly intense & committed to the sport
Negative
Is a rejection of accepted norms & an ignoring of rules set to control the structure of sport
Attracts media attention
Athletes are considered role models & possess positive traits. Eg:
discipline, perseverance, ability to withstand pressure.
Negative deviance among athletes
Alcohol & Binge Drinking
Athletes are more likely to than non-athletes to be engaged in excessive alcohol consumption
Illegal Drug Use
Athletes are less likely to use illegal drugs and smoke cigarettes than non-athletes
Hypothesised relationship between positive & negative deviance
Overconformity
Uncritical acceptance of Sport Ethic
Collective overconformity to sport ethic
Collective Hubris
Special bonds among athletes
Separation from community
Sense of entitlement above the law
Underconformity
Bullying, binge drinking, disorderly conduct, fighting, property destruction, careless driving , assaults, spouse abuse, rape
Controlling Deviance in Sports
*Sports is "above the law"
Aggressive behaviour is tolerated especially in sports like Rugby and boxing
Inconsistencies in rules (Ice hockey)
Suspended for elbowing
Tacitly condone bare-knuckle fighting by levying only 5-min penalties against players who drop their gloves
A multi-prong approach
Establish educational programmes for young athletes
Enforce code of ethics
Bar injured players from games
Conduct drug & health education for sport
Creating clear rules
Critically examine the hypocrisy among elite athletes & their management
Identify & encourage deviance that promote the right values