Goodger and Goodger (1989) Excitement and representation: toward a sociological explanation of the significance of sport in modern society

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Excitement and representation: toward a sociological explanation of the significance of sport in modern society

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CONTRIBUTORS:

	Author:	Goodger, J. M. (b. 1980, d. ----)
	Author:	Goodger, B. C.

JOURNAL:

Quest, 41(3), 257 - 272.

YEAR:

1989

PUB TYPE:

Journal Article

SUBJECT(S):

sport; attitude; public-opinion; lifestyle; sociology; theory; comparative-study

DISCIPLINE:

Recreation, Sports & Leisure Studies

HTTP:

https://secure.sportquest.com/su.cfm?articleno=205958&title=205958

LANGUAGE:

English

PUB ID:

103-336-929 (Last edited on 2003/09/19 09:14:47 GMT-6)

SPONSOR(S):

ABSTRACT:
It is suggested that sport is not only popular but also plays a highly significant part in the lives of many. One explanation focuses on the analysis of the tension excitement generated by sporting encounters. Particular emphasis is placed on the work of Elias and Dunning, who suggest that in societies at a late state in the civilising process, affect-control is strongly established, so that people's expressions of sentiment are strongly restrained. Excitement in such societies is thus to be found not so much in real-life situations as through mimetic or imitative excitement, which resembles that produced in critical situations in real life, but in a safe and pleasurable way. A second approach draws on a variety of theoretical perspectives, although the contributions derived from Emile Durkheim's later work on the sociology of religion are prominent. The argument is advanced that sports encapsulate symbolically the social natures, relations, and identities of the collectivities that generate them. Sport, therefore, is perceived as a form of collective representation that may be invested with great social significance. Finally, relationships between the two approaches are considered. Addresses the power of major sports to command mass interest and emotional involvement. Attempts to explain the social origins and significance of this phenomenon, drawing on two sociological theories regarding the significance of sport in modern society: 1) the approach taken by Elias and Dunning to the significance of the quest for excitement in people's attachment to sport in contemporary society, as participants or as spectators, and 2) the idea that sports may, like some other expressive activities, enable people to represent themselves or their social group to themselves in some way. Considers the relationships between the 'excitement' approach and the 'collective representation' approach, and concludes that the two may be seen as intimately related.

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