Question 1

With reference to sports, a person's habitus, according to Bourdieu, influences:
A) How naturally gifted they are at playing sports
B) Their disposition towards playing some sports rather than others
C) An antipathy to all sports
D) Their aggressiveness towards other players

Accepted Answer

Bourdieu's concept of habitus refers to the deeply ingrained habits, skills, and dispositions that we possess due to our life experiences. It influences our preferences, including the types of sports we are inclined towards, based on our social and cultural background rather than natural talent or aggressiveness.

Question 2

Cheating is to be expected in sports because:
A) Only dishonest people play sports
B) Sports players are mostly on average incomes and have to cheat to ensure their futures
C) Players always want to win games
D) Cheating is commonplace in acquisitive capitalist societies

Accepted Answer

D

Question 3

The use of sports by lower class people to achieve upward social mobility:
A) Is commonly done by athletically gifted but economically poor people
B) Is dependent on the cultural attributes of the athletes
C) Is very rare and achieved only by exceptionally gifted athletes
D) Is blocked by people higher on the socio-economic scale than themselves

Accepted Answer

C

Question 4

The marked over-representation of runners of West African ancestry in sprinting is explained sociologically by:
A) Racism restricting their chances of success in other occupations
B) An inherent genetic advantage
C) The continuing successes of black sprinters, which encourages emulation
D) Both (a) and (c)

Accepted Answer

The sociological explanation for the over-representation of runners of West African ancestry in sprinting includes both racism restricting their chances of success in other occupations and the continuing successes of black sprinters, which encourages emulation among younger athletes. These factors contribute to a cycle of representation and success in the field.

Question 5

Big businesses sponsor sports and advertise at sporting events because:
A) Television coverage of sports provides exposure of the businesses' products to large viewing audiences
B) The businesses produce sports equipment
C) Company executives like sports and want to support them
D) To reduce their tax liabilities

Accepted Answer

Sponsoring sports and advertising at sporting events offer businesses exposure to large audiences through television coverage, which can significantly enhance their product visibility and brand recognition.

Question 6

People become sports fans mostly because:
A) They would have nothing else to do if they did not follow sports
B) They are former players
C) They were introduced to a sport by significant other(s)
D) It enables them to 'let off steam'

Accepted Answer

People often become sports fans due to social influences, such as being introduced to a sport by family, friends, or significant others, which helps them develop an interest and loyalty to a particular team or sport.

Question 7

'Medal tables' commonly are associated with:
A) The AFL and NRL grand finals
B) 'Mega-events'
C) Most valuable player awards
D) Successful sporting nations

Accepted Answer

'Medal tables' are commonly associated with 'mega-events' such as the Olympic Games and Commonwealth Games, where multiple sports are contested and medals are awarded to the top-performing athletes and teams.

Question 8

Women's involvement with sports as players:
A) Now matches that of men
B) Receives as much media coverage as that of men
C) Means that they commonly earn as much as men from professional sports
D) Remains significantly marginalized

Accepted Answer

Women's involvement in sports as players, while having made significant progress, still remains significantly marginalized compared to men's involvement in terms of media coverage, earnings, and overall representation.

Question 9

The sport people play and/or follows largely depends on:
A) What they want to play
B) What they are told to play
C) Playing sports from which they are not excluded
D) Their social, economic and cultural background

Accepted Answer

The sports people play and/or follow are significantly influenced by their social, economic, and cultural background. This background shapes their access to different sports, the resources available for participation, and the cultural significance of certain sports within their community.

Question 10

Sports are:
A) Intricately entwined with the social and economic processes of the society in which they are found
B) Discrete activities that have no necessary connections with other aspects of the society
C) Just played and enjoyed
D) A form of play

Accepted Answer

Sports are intricately entwined with social and economic processes as they reflect cultural values, influence social interactions, and contribute to economic activities through events, sponsorships, and media.

Quiz 9: Sporting Life

With reference to sports, a person's habitus, according to Bourdieu, influences:

Cheating is to be expected in sports because:

The use of sports by lower class people to achieve upward social mobility:

The marked over-representation of runners of West African ancestry in sprinting is explained sociologically by:

Big businesses sponsor sports and advertise at sporting events because:

People become sports fans mostly because:

'Medal tables' commonly are associated with:

Women's involvement with sports as players:

The sport people play and/or follows largely depends on:

Sports are: