Graduation Date
1997
Document Type
Thesis
Program
Master of Arts degree with a major in Sociology
Committee Chair Name
Dr. Elizabeth Watson
Committee Chair Affiliation
Cal Poly Humboldt Faculty or Staff
Second Committee Member Name
Dr. Carol A. Whitehurst
Third Committee Member Name
Dr. Linda A. Parker
Keywords
Sociology
Abstract
Throughout its existance, sport has stigmatized “female” characteristics as an inhibition to one’s athleticism, while at the same time emphasizing the need for team cohesion in order to excel. In an effort to value women’s contributions to sport, and counteract the popular equation of sport as “male,” I have examined and compared the amount of nonverbal support which men and women communicate between teammates. Using the basketball court as my field of observation, I videotaped Humboldt State University’s men’s and women’s intercollegiate basketball teams (Division II squads) for a two year period, culminating 124 hours of data (granted exempt status from the Committee for the Protection of Human Subjects in Research at Humboldt State University on December 2, 1994). To analyze the data, a coding scheme was developed and implemented to quantify the amount of physical interaction and support conveyed between teammates during dead ball situations following positive and negative fouling situations. Ten random situations were analyzed, coded, and averaged for each game. T-tests were then conducted to compare women’s and men’s teams. The results indicate that women communicate significantly more nonverbally than the men in most situations, but particularly in negative situations. When accompanied with qualitative descriptions of the intensity and extensiveness of this interaction, it becomes apparent that women are significantly more expressive, supportive, and community oriented with their teammates when compared to their male counterparts. iv My research and findings call for a recognition of those characteristics which are labeled “feminine,” as well as “masculine,” within men and women alike, in an effort to give sport, and it’s participants, the complete recognition they deserve.
Recommended Citation
Oakley, Kristin L., "Looking Below the Rim: Deconceptualizing Sport as a "Male Activity"- Acknowledging Women's Contributions" (1997). Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects. 2487.
https://digitalcommons.humboldt.edu/etd/2487