Sports are a form of physical competition that focuses on the struggle between two or more individuals. It can involve a variety of different types of conflict. This usually ends with the winner winning and the loser losing.
The emergence and diffusion of modern sports have been shaped by global processes that are marked by shifting power balances. These processes involve multidirectional movements of people, practices, customs, and ideas that have unintended as well as intended consequences.
Sport can also be a significant contributor to the process of identity formation and the invention of traditions. The drama of sporting events can help to shape public and national attitudes and reaffirm or challenge national identities.
Athletes and their socialization into sports are often examined in a range of academic disciplines, including sociology, psychology, and education. In particular, researchers have studied the role of sports in the development of modern masculinity.
Despite the popular image of athletes as tough, rugged, and self-sacrificing, research shows that participation in sports can also contribute to social problems. For example, some sports can lead to aggressive behavior and violent crime. This may result from a tendency to perceive violence as “natural.” However, sports scholars also have noted that sports-related aggression is socially learned.