Chapter Outline
What Are Theories and Why Do We Need Them? Functionalist Theory: Sports Preserve the Status Quo
Functionalist Theory and Research on Sport
Using Functionalist Theory in Everyday Life
Weaknesses of Functionalist Theory
Conflict Theory: Sports Are Tools of the Wealthy
Conflict Theory and Research on Sport
Using Conflict Theory in Everyday Life
Weaknesses of Conflict Theory
Beyond the Needs of Society
Critical Theory: Sports Are Sites Where Culture and Social Relations Are Produced and Changed
Critical Theories and Research on Sports
REFLECT ON SPORTS : Sports Are More Than Reflections of Society
Using Critical Theory in Everyday Life
Weaknesses of Critical Theory
Feminist Theory: Sports Are Gendered Activities
Critical Feminist Theory and Research on Sports
Using Critical Feminist Theory in Everyday Life
Weaknesses of Critical Feminist Theory
Interactionist Theory: Sports Are Given Meaning as People Interact with One Another
Interactionist Theory and Research on Sports
Using Interactionist Theory in Everyday Life
Weaknesses of Interactionist Theory
Figurational Theory: Sports Are Collective Interventions
Figurational Theory and Research on Sports
Using Figurational Theory in Everyday Life
Weaknesses of Figurational Theory
Is There a Best Theoretical Approach to Use When Studying Sports?
BREAKING BARRIERS: Don’t Call Me Handicapped!
Summary: How Can Social Theories Help Us Study Sports in Society?