Ethical factors - WJECDeviance

Sport requires people to follow written and unwritten rules to make it fair. It expects people to behave responsibly to ensure respect, fairness and safety. In this way, it promotes social values.

Part ofPhysical EducationSocio-cultural influences

Deviance

In sport, deviant behaviour occurs when a player, manager, spectator or anyone involved behaves in a way that knowingly breaks the rules or ethics of the sport. This behaviour takes several forms, including cheating, violence and bribery to influence the results or illegally betting on the outcome.

Reasons for deviant behaviours in sport include: pressure to win, financial pressure, a 'win at all costs' mentality, media pressure, stress of the situation and a perception of lenient punishments.
Figure caption,
The reasons for deviant behaviours in sport

Deviant behaviour can have serious consequences and athletes are, perhaps, discouraged from acting in a deviant way for some of these reasons.

Consequences of deviant behaviours in sport, including punishments and bans, loss of credibility, loss of sponsors, suspicion cast on other athletes, lack of trust by fans and loss of earnings.
Figure caption,
The consequences of deviant behaviours in sport