Sociology, Culture, Sports, and Deviance
Key Concepts in Sociology and Culture
1. Definition of Sociology
- Science that deals with human relationships and their consequences.
- Science that studies the behavior of society, as well as the groups and institutions to which it gives rise.
2. Definition of Culture
Complex knowledge, skills, arts, morals, laws, customs, and practices that characterize and differentiate one society from others. Culture is necessarily learned and shared.
3. Subculture and Counterculture
A subculture is a concept within a larger culture; it describes behaviors that distinguish a particular group from a larger cultural framework. A subculture that challenges the habits and value system of the general culture is known as counterculture.
4. Cultural Relativism
The extent to which we value human behavior alien to our culture, given that we lack evidence to distinguish right from wrong, and to ignore their cultural context.
5. Ethnocentrism
The tendency that every group has to take for granted the superiority of their own culture. All people are, to a greater or lesser extent, ethnocentric.
6. Xenocentrism
The tendency in some people to assume the superiority of foreign cultures. In a society, xenocentric and ethnocentric traits can coexist. Xenocentrism is often linked to complexes acquired through local history. For example, the period that historians call “Spanish backwardness” (first half of the twentieth century) generated a certain feeling of inferiority to the rest of Europe.
7. The Cultural Stereotype
A stereotype is a mindset shared by a large group of people that aims to summarize the characteristics of an area of social reality. A stereotype is partially true and false simultaneously. The information is drawn from social reality, so it has some truth, although the simplified scheme leads to inaccuracies and exaggerations (Giner: 1994). However, stereotypes are useful because we lack the time to know everything in detail. It is often used as a tool of humor in any culture.
Traditional Values in Sport
Competition, Agonists (Record), Linking to Health, Progress, Systematic Work, Ascetic Morality and Puritanical values, Body Aesthetics, Justice, Equality versus Savagery (Medieval Hurling), Victory, Combat, Context, and Standards.
Sports Socialization: Sport in the Classroom
- Traditionally, sport has been relied upon in education for its adherence to moral codes (Patrikson, 1996).
- Sports habitus (positive): skill, courage, speed, etc.
- Sports socialization is reinforced by the media.
- Parents, friends, coaches, and teachers were the drivers of our Olympians (Ferrando, 1986).
- Studies show that young people of high social class are more suited to sports (long-term factor); Sbodova, 1996.
- Caution! Heinemann (1992) and McPherson (1986) argue that it is not proven that sport easily exports habits and values to our lives.
- What is taken for granted is that sport is essential to our sedentary lives.
Understanding Crime from a Sociological Perspective
There are five basic perspectives:
- Social cancer.
- Statistical magnitude.
- Transgression of the rule of law.
- Deviant behavior, apart from social convention.
- Label for certain segments of the social system.
Changes in Modernity
- Presence of state bureaucracy.
- Growing classifications (causes).
- Segregation by income.
- Mental punishment and deprivation of physical liberty replaced.
Radical Principles of the Deviance Model
- The offense is read in context.
- Mindful deviation is basic.
- It depends on the faculty.
- It is conditioned by close relationships.
- Community reaction marks social position.
- Without fear of labeling reaction (v. Lemert).