Question 1

The idea that the existing salary inequalities in professional sport are necessary for the motivation of athletes to perform well is most consistent with:

Accepted Answer

Structural functionalist theory posits that every aspect of society serves a function and contributes to the overall stability and functioning of society. The idea that salary inequalities are necessary for motivating athletes aligns with this perspective, as it suggests that these inequalities serve a purpose by encouraging high performance and competition, which are seen as beneficial for the sports industry and society at large.

Question 2

The "sports-media-commercial complex" identified by Messner, which we call the Golden Triangle, has tended to respond to the growth of women's involvement in sports with coverage that has:

Accepted Answer

The "sports-media-commercial complex" or the Golden Triangle, as identified by Messner, has often responded to the growth of women's sports by selectively focusing on a few outstanding female athletes in a limited number of sports, rather than providing broad and equitable coverage across all women's sports. This selective focus contrasts with the more comprehensive coverage typically afforded to men's sports.

Question 3

According to research by Messner, Dunbar and Hunt, the "Televised Sports Manhood Formula" includes the theme that:

Accepted Answer

The "Televised Sports Manhood Formula" as researched by Messner, Dunbar, and Hunt emphasizes themes of masculinity in sports, including the idea that athletes should sacrifice their bodies for the team, showcasing toughness and commitment.

Question 4

One could conclude from the analysis of the "Televised Sports Manhood Formula" by Messner, Dunbar and Hunt that the televised sports programs they studied:

Accepted Answer

The "Televised Sports Manhood Formula" by Messner, Dunbar, and Hunt suggests that televised sports programs often convey narrow and stereotypical messages about race, gender, and violence, reinforcing traditional notions of masculinity.

Question 5

Mass media portrayals or accounts of minorities and women in sport:

Accepted Answer

Mass media portrayals often reinforce existing social inequalities by perpetuating stereotypes and biases, rather than challenging them or reflecting the preferences of the athletes themselves.

Question 6

In the global stratification of sport:

Accepted Answer

The majority of the richest sports teams in the world are indeed soccer clubs, reflecting the global popularity and financial power of soccer, especially in Europe and South America. U.S. football, while extremely popular and financially significant within the United States, does not have the same global reach or financial clout as soccer. The concept of the Golden Triangle, which refers to the interdependence and influence of sports, media, and sponsors, has significant influence in the global sports industry, affecting decisions and visibility of various sports. Lastly, sports are not ranked the same way in every nation in the world; different cultures and countries have different preferences and historical connections to various sports.

Question 7

The American Dream:

Accepted Answer

The American Dream, when applied to sports, is often more mythic than factual, suggesting equal opportunity for social mobility through sports, which doesn't always align with reality due to various systemic barriers.

Question 8

The special feature about the America's Cup in the text showed that:

Accepted Answer

The America's Cup, as an elite sporting event, exemplifies the Golden Triangle's influence, where sports, media, and sponsors interact closely, highlighting the commercial and global aspects of modern elite sports.

Question 9

Coverage of minority and female athletes by the mass media of the Golden Triangle in the U.S. tends to:

Accepted Answer

The mass media often overlooks the social and cultural barriers that minority and female athletes face, focusing instead on individual success stories without addressing systemic issues.

Question 10

Imagine that the allocation of resources, opportunities, and rewards in athletics at a local private high school is rigidly stratified in regard to social class, gender, and race. This could mean that:

Accepted Answer

The scenario described indicates a stratification based on social class, gender, and race, which suggests inequality. Option C, where male coaches get paid more than female coaches, directly reflects a gender-based disparity in rewards, aligning with the described stratification.

Question 11

The text has suggested that minority or female athletes or coaches who have experienced prejudice or discrimination are least likely to protest the social injustice in their sport when they:

Accepted Answer

Athletes or coaches who believe they lack the resources and power to challenge the power structure of sport successfully are least likely to protest social injustice, as they may feel their efforts would be futile or lead to negative repercussions.

Question 12

Smart's observations about the relationship between social class and the development of sport in England and the United States suggest that:

Accepted Answer

Smart's observations indicate that the enforcement of amateur eligibility, which was more stringent in the past, would have primarily allowed individuals from the elite classes to participate in the Olympics. This is because such rules often required athletes not to earn money from their sports, a condition more easily met by those with sufficient personal wealth.

Question 13

NCAA data cited in the text about social mobility opportunities in U.S. sports indicated that:

Accepted Answer

The NCAA data indicates that males have a better chance of moving from college to the professional level in baseball compared to basketball or football.

Question 14

Evidence about the mass media and sport has generally shown that:

Accepted Answer

The dominant sports media, often referred to as part of the "Golden Triangle" (which includes sports, media, and sponsors), have historically been criticized for providing less coverage and visibility to women and minorities compared to their male and majority counterparts. This has been a consistent pattern, reflecting broader societal inequalities and biases within sports journalism and media representation.

Question 15

ESPN's list of the "Top 100 North American Athletes of the 20^th Century" included:

Accepted Answer

The list included a significant number of black male athletes, but women and other ethnic minorities were underrepresented compared to their proportions in the general population.

Question 16

What do you think is the most basic status distinction in sport?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What do you think is the most...

Question 17

What are social stratification and social mobility, and how do these terms apply to sport and the American Dream?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What are social stratification and social mobility,...

Question 18

How would a structural functionalist and a Marxist or conflict theorist differ in their interpretation of the steep salary hierarchies and big differences in pay among professional athletes in a sport?

Accepted Answer

The answer of How would a structural functionalist and a...

Question 19

How are sports stratified globally, and how is the global stratification of sport related to the Golden Triangle?

Accepted Answer

The answer of How are sports stratified globally, and how...

Question 20

What kinds of images of women, racial and ethnic minorities, homosexuals, and people with disabilities in sport do the mass media generally create?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What kinds of images of women, racial...

Quiz 3: Stratification and Social Class in Sport