Sociocultural Influences in Sport

Question 1

What are the 5 social groups?

Answer 1

• Gender
• Age
• Race / Religion / Culture
• Family / Friends / Peers
• Disability

Question 2

What influence does gender have on sport?

Answer 2

Male + Female

Male and females are both encouraged to take part in sports

Women may feel scared to play or insecure as they would be seen as doing something “not normal” so they’ll be put off sport. They also just might not be brought up into sport because of this

Question 3

What barriers to females face in sport?

Answer 3

• Lack of self confidence
• Personal safety
• Parental and adult influence
• Male dominated culture of sport
• Funding
• Body image
• Invisibility in media and lack of role models

Stereotypes, e.g. childcare, women are less athletic than men

Women may feel scared to play or insecure as they would be seen as doing something “not normal” so they’ll be put off sport. They also just might not be brought up into sport because of this

Question 4

What influence does age have on sport?

Answer 4

Age can put limits on what sport an individual may take up.

Depending on the size of the club, the may have a team at each age group

Question 5

What influence does race / religion / culture have on sport?

Answer 5

The number of both black and minority ethnic and white british adults playing sport is increasing. Taking up a sport or activity may be influenced by ethnic background

e.g. cricket is very popular among Asian countries

Question 6

What influence does family / friends / peers have on sport?

Answer 6

Friends / peers - These people can influence what sport you take up. Peer pressure can lead you to an activity and is easier than going alone to a club

Family - A child can be introduced to an activity at an early age by their family and will usually recieve financial support to continue it.

Costs paid by family may include kit, subscription and travel costs

Question 7

What influence does disability have on sport?

Answer 7

Sport is encouraged to all regardless of disability. They often compete against similar groups or can be mixed with able-bodied

The 3 main categories of disability are PHYSICAL, SENSORY, INTELLECTUAL

Question 8

Name 11 factors that may influence any of the social groups in sport

Answer 8

• Attitudes
• Accessibility (facilities, etc)
  -Available leisure time
• Stereotypes
• Role models
• Media coverage
• Socio-economic status / income
• Family commitments
• Familiarity
• Culture / religion
• Education

Question 9

What barriers can race / religion / culture cause in sport?

Answer 9

• Causes you to take up a certain sport that suits you better
• Religion may restrict you from playing a sport
• Restricted diet could make it hard for success
• Environment may affect what you’re better at
• Prejudice

Question 10

Why can age groups make sport more enjoyable?

Answer 10

• Younger people might play against year above if merged
• Creates fairness
• Allows/encourages older people to play
• Makes people feel comfortable to play against their own age

Question 11

How can disability affect sport?

Answer 11

• May not be able to compete against able-bodied people
• Not all disabled sports have enough people
• Some sports are not doable
• Paralympics made to compete fairly