Sports and Social Learning: Modeling Bad Medicine
Steroid use in professional athletes have a negative causal effect on children and families involved in sports. Through social learning, children model these “role models” and parents feel obligated to help their children succeed in sports and in some instances through negative and/or dangerous avenues. Male gender roles are becoming more complex and confusing while professional athletes are becoming more aggressive. Studies and news releases will support this factor of analysis. “Sports Parents” are becoming more intense and competitive in their interactions with other parents/officials/coaches, etc… Many books have been written on the subject and evidence of this is found by looking at the sociology of sport literature available. The medication Humatrope is now being used to make children taller, even if they do not have a disorder…this drug can be viewed as a “performance enhancer” just like steroids. All these factors relate as causative, should be presented as such and added to the literature already available, so that parents can understand this issue. But, most importantly more research needs to be done on this growing problem.
Finding definitive proof (from a socially scientific standpoint) that these are all causative will be difficult. There could be units of analysis that are impossible to qualify (such as reasons for increased aggression in professional athletes and “sports parents”). Steroids have this type of side effect, but are not the only cause of increased aggression. Surveys and quantitative data analysis may be necessary to understand this. Also, this is a relatively new phenomenon and finding scholarly research may be more difficult than using examples of aggression by athletes and “sports parents” in the news.
Steroids can “increase leanness and muscle bulk beyond what can be achieved by even the most hardworking athletes who do not use drugs” (Bonetta, 2004). Although there are legitimate reasons for persons to use steroids, just as there are good reasons for children to take humatrope, the aggression that can stem from steroid abuse just as the aggressive parent, who desires a taller child is troublesome. People, who study effects of steroids say that “we thought that athletes had increased muscle because they trained harder because of the effects of testosterone on aggression” (2004). Although, studies are still being done on steroids just as they are on Humatrope.
A child could be prescribed such a medication (the controversy is that it can be administered in children with what is deemed “idiopathic short stature”).
This article outlays the controversy of Humatrope and makes reference to sport.
In a society where most kids view towering NBA stars as heroes, the craving to be bigger and taller is only natural. Now, their dreams of gaining a few extra inches may soon come true.A recent controversial FDA decision will allow doctors to prescribe a supplemental growth hormone to short patients with completely normal hormone level
The medication in question is Eli Lilly’s (LLY) Humatrope (search), an injected protein that stimulates growth, specifically in children. Once used only by boys and girls with serious hormone deficiencies, the drug has been approved for use in extremely short but otherwise healthy children.
The FDA’s decision to allow the sale of the drug to patients with short stature of unknown origin is of “enormous significance,” according to Dr. Arthur Caplan, Chair of the Department of Medical Ethics and Director of the Center for Bioethics (search) at the University of Pennsylvania.
“The reason this is big news is that this is one of the first times the [FDA] has allowed a drug to go on the market to treat something that is completely normal,” he said
(Kahn, 2003).
This and the issue of aggressive athletes on steroids need to be further studied.
Humatrope has three indications; for children with Growth Hormone Deficiency (GHD), Turner Syndrome, and the aforementioned ISS. Humatrope’s website says this about their drug
Idiopathic short stature (ISS)
Humatrope is indicated for the long-term treatment of idiopathic short stature, also called non-growth-hormone-deficient short stature, defined by height SDS less than or equal to -2.25, and associated with growth rates unlikely to permit attainment of adult height in the normal range, in pediatric patients whose epiphyses are not closed and for whom diagnostic evaluation excludes other causes associated with short stature that should be observed or treated by other means.
Between 1988 and 2001, Lilly conducted two studies of Humatrope treatment in approximately 300 children with ISS. One study showed that children who received Humatrope injections were on average 1.5 inches taller at final adult height than children who did not receive therapy. The other study showed that children grew significantly faster while receiving Humatrope than before they started taking the medication. For the patients in this study whose final adult height could be measured, Humatrope patients were on average 2 to 3 inches taller than they were predicted to be without Humatrope (Eli Lilly, 2006).
Some “sport parents” use their willingness to “win at all costs” and some athletes will use dangerous steroids to be more competitive at all costs. It would be interesting to conduct a study to see what social influences influence the family and causes the individual to be more aggressive and competitive. Is it the “American Dream”? Is it the “American Way?”
All parents feel frustration when their child is performing. Parents have no control over their child’s actions during a game; they have no control over the coach’s behavior; and they have no control over how the game will turn out. Lack of control is the basis for frustration and anxiety. The problems and the pressures parents feel are often brought to the courts and playing fields (Du Bois & Wright, 2001).
Is it that we live in a world that is out of control and individuals will seek to do whatever is in their power to bring the internal locus of control from the external locus of control? It seems that this stems from social psychology, the psychology of sport, politics, and many other disciplines that deal with individuals motivations within organizations, such as athletics.
Social psychology is the scientific study of how people’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are influenced by the actual, imagined, or implied presence of others (Allport, 1985). By this definition, scientific refers to the empirical method of investigation. The terms thoughts, feelings, and behaviors include all of the psychological variables that are measurable in a human being. The statement that others may be imagined or implied suggests that we are prone to social influence even when no other people are present, such as when watching television, or following internalized cultural norms.
Social psychologists typically explain human behavior as a result of the interaction of mental states and immediate, social situations. In Kurt Lewin’s (1951), famous heuristic, behavior can be viewed as a function of the person and the environment, B=f(P,E). In general, social psychologists have a preference for laboratory based, empirical findings. Their theories tend to be specific and focused, rather than global and general.
Social psychology is an interdisciplinary domain that bridges the gap between psychology and sociology. During the years immediately following World War II, there was frequent collaboration between psychologists and sociologists (Sewell, 1989). However, the two disciplines have become increasingly specialized and isolated from each other in recent years, with sociologists focusing on “macro variables” (e.g. social structure) to a much greater extent. Nevertheless, sociological approaches to social psychology remain an important counterpart to psychological research in this area (Wikepedia (a) 2007).
Social Psychology, then, should open the door to understand personal motivations while Sociology can shed light on societal need for power and control, such as with conflict theory expressed by Marx and Durkheim. Game Theory is a component of conflict theory and is used in economics, management, and sociology. All of these theories may be projected unto the current problem that we, as a society are becoming more unclear in gender roles, more violent, more easy to use aggression through games.
Thomas Schelling’s idea. Writing about 1960, Schelling proposed that any bit of information that all participants in a coordination game would have, that would enable them all to focus on the same equilibrium, might solve the problem. In determining a national boundary, for example, the highest mountain between the two countries would be an obvious enough landmark that both might focus on setting the boundary there — even if the mountain were not very high at all.
Another source of a hint that could solve a coordination game is social convention. Here is a game in which social convention could be quite important. That game has a long name: “Which Side of the Road to Drive On?” In Britain, we know, people drive on the left side of the road; in the US they drive on the right. In abstract, how do we choose which side to drive on? There are two strategies: drive on the left side and drive on the right side. There are two possible outcomes: the two cars pass one another without incident or they crash. We arbitrarily assign a value of one each to passing without problems and of -10 each to a crash (Davis, 1999).
Game theory can be highly mathematical, but it should be examined further and to show the umbrella theory (conflict), one must review this theory in depth.
Conflict theory itself is not highly mathematical, but it is here that the current conflict with steroids, aggression, and social and individual control may be measured.
In sociology, conflict theory states that the society or organization functions so that each individual participant and its groups struggle to maximize their benefits, which inevitably contributes to social change such as changes in politics and revolutions. The theory is mostly applied to explain conflict between social classes, proletarian versus bourgeoisie; and in ideologies such as capitalism versus socialism. The theory attempts to refute functionalism, which considers that societies and organizations function so that each individual and group plays a specific role, like organs in the body. There are radical basic assumptions (society is eternally in conflict, which might explain social change), or moderate ones (custom and conflict are always mixed). The moderate version allows for functionalism to operate as an equally acceptable theory since it would accept that even negative social institutions play a part in society’s self-perpetuation.
The essence of conflict theory is best epitomized by the classic ‘pyramid structure’ in which an elite dictates terms to the larger masses. All major institutions, laws, and traditions in the society are designed to support those who have traditionally been in power, or the groups that are perceived to be superior in the society according to this theory. This can also be expanded to include any society’s ‘morality’ and by extension their definition of deviance. Anything that challenges the control of the elite will likely be considered ‘deviant’ or ‘morally reprehensible.’ The theory can be applied on both the macro level (like the US government or Soviet Russia, historically) or the micro level (a church organization or school club). In summary, conflict theory seeks to catalogue the ways in which those in power seek to stay in power. In understanding conflict theory, social class competition plays a key part (Wikepedia (b) 2007).
Of course, competition is the operative word and this is where the heart of the problem of this aggression of adults leading to aggression in children and competition through games lie. Only by doing surveys on “sports parents”, athletes, and even sports fans and by further understanding game theory in conflict theory can the hypothesis presented here be proven. Secondary data analysis on news articles demonstrating illegal, and/or unethical professional athlete behavior may be helpful, as well as “sport parent” problems that make the news. Here is such an example:
A northern Indiana man with back problems has sued Pacers mascot Boomer, alleging that the 6-foot-tall faux cat exacerbated the pain from a recent surgery and caused permanent injury.
The lawsuit was filed last week against the unidentified performer who plays Boomer and against the Pacers organization, the latest in a string of bad publicity for the team.
In his lawsuit, Adams County resident Nathaniel Jackson says he attended the March 11, 2005, game against Golden State and was asked to participate in a free-throw shooting contest during a time out.
He initially declined, citing his recent back surgery but was assured “there would be no reason for concern or injury,” according to the lawsuit.
After the contest, the lawsuit says, he began to leave the basketball court but was tackled by the mascot. The employee who knew about the surgery told the mascot about the surgery, and Boomer responded by kicking at Jackson’s legs, the lawsuit says.
Pacers representatives did not return phone calls seeking comment on Thursday.
Jackson’s lawyers declined comment on his behalf, saying they would rather let the lawsuit stand for itself.
“Since that was just filed and we’re in the midst of litigation and we have been unable to get the case resolved prior to filing suit, I feel the best avenue at this point in time is to let the litigation process continue,” said Stanley Rosenblatt, a Fort Wayne lawyer representing Jackson.
Jackson’s lawsuit says the team and Boomer were negligent and is seeking compensation for his medical bills, lost income and pain and suffering (Gammel, 2007).
This article is particularly interesting because it is a mascot not an athlete that perpetuates the alleged violent attack on a man. There are numerous other sources of secondary data that show athletes and parents out of control.
Carson Palmer is tired of seeing the Cincinnati Bengals pile up more arrests than wins.
The quarterback’s frustration level with his teammates has grown steadily over the last nine months, and for reasons that have nothing to do with on-field play.
“Enough is enough,” Palmer said Wednesday at the Super Bowl media center. “It’s something we’re definitely not proud of.”
When cornerback Johnathan Joseph was arrested last week and charged with possession of marijuana, he became the ninth Bengals player arrested in a nine-month span — and Palmer isn’t making any more attempts to hide his disappointment with the run of trouble.
“From here on out, guys just need to make better decisions,” Palmer said. “Life is about making the right decisions and moving on. The decisions they’ve made are not the right ones.”
Along with the arrests, linebacker Odell Thurman and receiver Chris Henry were suspended by the NFL for misconduct. Henry, who has been arrested four times in the last 14 months, could be facing another suspension at the start of the 2007 season over two court cases that were settled last week.
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell even took the step of telling the team to behave during a visit to Cincinnati last fall. Bengals coach Marvin Lewis is implementing new, tougher rules and regulations for the team to follow — something Palmer supports.
“There’s really nothing that Marvin can do in the offseason,” Palmer said. “Right now, you can’t put a curfew on guys. You can’t call guys every single night to make sure they’re in bed, they’re not running around.” (Reynolds, 2007).
We have not yet investigated the violence perpetrated by disgruntled parents as part of the secondary data analysis needed here.
A BBC Radio 5 Live investigation into junior football has found a game blighted by violence.
The results have led to parents withdrawing their children from teams and a shortage of grassroots referees.
“We see spitting, swearing, butting, kicking and assaults by parents all the time”, Geoff Swinnerton, president of Liverpool FA told Sport on Five.
Aggressive and abusive parents are cited as the main culprits.
Another interviewee, who ran a junior league which collapsed through lack of interest, has seen parents walk across a pitch to confront each other with weapons.
A discussion into the issues was aired on Monday on Sport on Five where Sir Trevor Brooking, the FA’s Director of Football Development joined parents, coaches and referees who have become frustrated with the game.
Brooking said: “It is a big concern and it’s something we have to link in with the new coaching strategy. We’ve got to embarrass the parents.
“I think some of the parents haven’t got any social responsibility full stop, irrespective of whether it’s football or anything.
“We’ve got to make sure that those sorts of parents aren’t part of football.
“We’ve got to support coaches to go up to parents and ask them to take their kids away, if they carry on shouting.
If enough clubs say, ‘we don’t want you’, then gradually the message will get there because kids just want to play.”
Sport on Five has also discovered that, despite the introduction of a wide range of child protection measures in recent years, the FA is failing to oust convicted criminals from junior football clubs.
The FA has a programme called Soccer Parent which aims to raise standards of behaviour and knowledge (BBC, 2007).
Interestingly enough this makes this problem as an “American Dream” or otherwise American problem null and void as this article is from the UK. The problem with increased aggression and competition is worldwide or at the very least an issue in developed countries.
In closing aggression is a problem and is seen through secondary data analysis on sports parents, athletes, and even mascots. Conflict theory and its component game theory is useful in looking at this problem. But, only through intense survey questionnaire development, distribution, and analysis can a social scientist really understand this growing world-wide trend. Steroids and other types of medicine may induce aggression in athletes, but does not go toward a definitive answer. The answer is likely a complex set of variables that involve a macro system (government and other institutions). Sports seems to be fitting into the model of a microcosm of society and in studying further the problems with sport we may discover answers about our society as a whole.
References
BBC Sport/Football. “Junior football ‘violent’“ http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/get_involved/4541798.stm. Last accessed 6 March 2007
Bonetta, L. (August 2004). “The Steroid Story” in The American School Board Journal.
Davis, M. Registration of copyright pending (1999). Strategy and Conflict: An Introductory Sketch of Game Theory: Games with Multiple Nash Equilibria. Accessible online: http://william-king.www.drexel.edu/top/eco/game/game.html. Last accessed 2 March 2007.
Du Bois, W. & Wright, R. D. (2001). Applying Sociology; Making a Better World. Needham Heights, MA: Allyn & Bacon.
Eli Lilly. (2006). “Humatrope: Humatrope indications”. Available online:
http://www.humatrope.com/pediatric_patients/hcp_indications.jsp?reqNavId=3.1. Last
accessed 2 March 2007.
Gammill, Andy. (2007). Indianapolis Star. “Pacers mascot Boomer sued by backpatient”Accessibleonline:http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070308/LOCAL/70308013/1195/LOCAL18. Last accessed 6 March 2007.
Kahn, S. D. (October 07, 2003). “Pediatric Growth Hormone Sparks
Controversy” Available online:
http://www.foxnews.com/printer_friendly_story/0,3566,99277,00.html. (Last accessed 2
March 2007).
Reynolds, Tim. (January 31, 2007). The Boston Globe. “Palmer says Bengals’ arrests must stop” Available online: http://www.boston.com/sports/football/articles/2007/01/31/palmer_says_bengals_arrests_must_stop/. Last accessed 6 March 2007..
Wikepedia(a). (2007). “Social psychology (psychology)”. Available online:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_psychology_%28psychology%29. Last
accessed 2 March 2007.
Wikepedia(b). (2007). “Conflict Theory”. Available online: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conflict_theory. Last accessed 5 March 2007.