Ethics and Deviance in Sport

Understanding Ethics and Deviance in Sport

  • Comprehend the concept of ethics in sports, including fairness, integrity, respect for rules and officials, and good sportsmanship.
  • Recognise deviance as behaviour that is against the norms or accepted standards in sports, such as cheating, doping, or using aggressive actions.
  • Understand that both spectators and participants can demonstrate deviant behaviour in sports.

Cheating in Sports

  • Understand cheating as a form of deviance, which undermines the integrity of sport.
  • Acknowledge various forms of cheating, from subtle rule bending to notable scandals that harm an entire sport’s reputation.
  • Explore specific instances of cheating and the factors that lead individuals or teams to cheat.

Use of Performance Enhancing Drugs (PEDs)

  • Recognise the use of PEDs as a widespread form of deviance in sports.
  • Understand the physical and psychological effects of various PEDs, including anabolic steroids, stimulants, and diuretics.
  • Study the ethical issues around use of PEDs, such as the implications for fair competition and health risks.

Aggression and Violence in Sport

  • Acknowledge the prevalence of aggression and violence in some sports, both on and off the field.
  • Explore the difference between sanctioned aggression in contact sports and unsanctioned violence, like fights or assaults.
  • Discuss the socio-cultural factors that encourage or discourage aggressive behaviour in sports.

Doping Control and Testing

  • Understand the role, procedures and complexities of doping control and testing in sports.
  • Recognise the debate about the effectiveness of current testing procedures and the challenges in combating doping.
  • Consider the ethical implications around invasion of privacy and potential for false positives in drug testing.

Gambling and Match Fixing

  • Recognise gambling and match fixing as major forms of corruption and deviance in sports.
  • Discuss the social and economic factors that make sport an attractive target for gamblers and those looking to fix matches.
  • Learn about specific incidents of match fixing globally and the impact on the sport and its reputation.

Ethics and Governance

  • Comprehend the importance of good governance in maintaining the ethical standard of sports.
  • Discuss the role of sport governing bodies in managing issues around deviance.
  • Understand the concept of sportsmanship as a moral and ethical approach to sport.