Conflict
theory of Sport Psychology
Conflict theory is directed at sports which are
dominated by spectators. Conflict theorists if they had the choice they would
increase the control that athletes and other sporting participants have to
promote sport at local community level so that it benefits all classes of
people rather than just all elite athletes. Meaning the working class would
have more influence of sport than the rich class giving them more motivation
for participation and eliminating profits. Many conflict theorists favour
player’s unions that confront pro-team owners and are supporting organisations
that help to guard against public tax money being used to benefit wealthy
people. Ideally any public resources would be used to help aid sponsoring
sports that are designed to improve physical fitness, political awareness and
include placing the element of fun into activities. Conflict theorists (Leonard
1980; Rigauer2004) would also campaign for athletes at all levels to have
representation with making decisions about sport in organisations so Olympians
would be able to vote on policy questions that concerned the staging of the
Olympic Games.
Using Conflict Theory to take social
action
Focus
on class inequality and how it might be minimized or eliminated in and through
sports
Develop
awareness of how athletes and spectators are used for the profit and personal
gain of the economic elite
More
emphasis on play and less on commercial spectator sports
Weaknesses of Conflict Theory
Assumes
that all social life is “economically determined”
Ignores
the importance of gender, race & ethnicity, age, & other factors in
social life
Ignores
the possibility that sport participation can be a personally and socially
empowering experience
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