Ethics in sport — AQA A-Level Physical Education
Test yourself on Ethics in sport with AQA A-Level practice questions.
Start free
7 days Premium · Then free forever · No card, no charge
Your focus
- Understanding of the key terms relating to ethics in sport.
Ethics in sport exam tips
Quick Revision Summary (Key Takeaway)
Ethics in sport examines the moral principles and codes of conduct that govern fair play, sportsmanship and integrity in physical activity. For AQA A-Level PE, students must understand concepts such as gamesmanship, deviance, doping, and the role of national governing bodies in promoting ethical behaviour.
Topic Overview
Ethics in sport explores the moral principles that underpin fair play, integrity and respect in physical activity. It covers key concepts such as sportsmanship, gamesmanship, deviance, doping, and the role of governing bodies in enforcing ethical codes. Understanding these ideas is essential for analysing contemporary issues like doping scandals, match-fixing and the win-at-all-costs mentality.
This topic is central to AQA A-Level PE because it links directly to socio-cultural issues in sport and the impact of commercialisation and media. Students must be able to apply ethical theories to real sporting examples, evaluate strategies to promote ethics, and discuss the tensions between fair play and the pursuit of victory. It also connects to other areas such as sport psychology and biomechanics, where ethical considerations influence coaching and performance.
Key Concepts
- →Sportsmanship: behaviour that demonstrates fair play, respect for opponents and officials, and graciousness in victory or defeat.
- →Gamesmanship: unsporting behaviour that bends the rules without breaking them, such as time-wasting, sledging or feigning injury.
- →Deviance: behaviour that breaks the rules or norms of sport; can be positive (over-conformity, e.g., playing through pain) or negative (cheating, doping, violence).
- →Doping: the use of prohibited performance-enhancing drugs; violates fair play and health, and is policed by WADA and UKAD.
- →Role of national governing bodies (NGBs): to enforce rules, educate athletes, and promote ethical behaviour through codes of conduct and sanctions.
Examiner Tips
- 💡Always use specific sporting examples to illustrate ethical concepts; generic answers rarely gain full marks.
- 💡When evaluating, consider both strengths and weaknesses of strategies and reach a justified conclusion.
- 💡Learn key terms and definitions precisely; examiners look for accurate use of terminology such as 'gamesmanship', 'positive deviance' and 'WADA'.
Common Mistakes
- Students often think gamesmanship is the same as cheating; in fact, gamesmanship exploits loopholes without breaking written rules, whereas cheating involves rule-breaking.
- Many believe doping is only about illegal drugs; however, doping includes the use of any prohibited substance or method, including some over-the-counter medications.
- Some students assume that all deviance is negative; positive deviance, such as over-training or playing through injury, is also a form of deviance from norms.
Revision Plan
- 1Day 1-2: Learn key definitions (sportsmanship, gamesmanship, deviance, doping) and create flashcards with examples.
- 2Day 3-4: Research real-life case studies of ethical issues (e.g., Lance Armstrong, match-fixing in cricket) and note the ethical implications.
- 3Day 5-6: Practice exam questions on explaining and evaluating ethical concepts, focusing on structure and use of examples.
- 4Day 7-8: Review the role of NGBs and WADA; create a table of strategies to promote ethics and their effectiveness.
- 5Day 9-10: Complete a timed mock exam question on ethics and self-assess using mark schemes, targeting areas for improvement.
Exam Question Types
- 📋Definition and explanation questions (e.g., 'Explain the difference between sportsmanship and gamesmanship') - ensure you define both terms and give examples.
- 📋Evaluation questions (e.g., 'Evaluate the effectiveness of punishments in deterring doping') - provide balanced arguments and a conclusion.
- 📋Application questions (e.g., 'Using a sporting example, explain how deviance can be positive') - link theory to a specific sport.
- 📋Data analysis questions (e.g., interpreting graphs on doping violations) - identify trends and relate to ethical issues.
Command Word Expectations (AQA)
Explain
Provide a detailed account of why or how something occurs, using specific examples and terminology. Marks are awarded for each valid point made.
Evaluate
Weigh up the strengths and weaknesses of a concept or strategy, using evidence and examples, and reach a justified conclusion. Both sides must be considered for full marks.
Analyse
Break down a concept into its component parts and examine how they relate, often identifying causes and effects. Use detailed examples to support each point.
How Students Lose Marks (Examiner Pitfalls)
Pitfall: Students often confuse gamesmanship with deviance, or fail to distinguish between positive and negative deviance in sport.
❌ Weak Answer (Loses Marks):Gamesmanship is when you cheat to win, like taking drugs. Deviance is when you break the rules.
Example improved answer:Gamesmanship refers to unsporting behaviour that bends the rules but does not break them, such as time-wasting or distracting an opponent, whereas deviance involves behaviour that breaks the rules or norms of sport. Positive deviance can be over-conformity to norms, like playing through injury, while negative deviance includes cheating, doping or violence.
Examiner Tip: Always define both terms clearly and provide a sporting example for each. Use the phrase 'bending the rules' for gamesmanship and 'breaking the rules' for deviance to secure full marks.
Pitfall: When discussing doping, students often list drugs without linking them to specific ethical issues or the role of WADA.
❌ Weak Answer (Loses Marks):Drugs are bad in sport. Athletes take them to win. It is cheating.
Example improved answer:Doping violates the ethics of fair play and the spirit of sport. Anabolic steroids enhance muscle growth and recovery, giving an unfair advantage, while stimulants increase alertness and aggression. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) sets the prohibited list and coordinates testing to ensure integrity. Athletes who dope face bans, loss of medals and reputational damage, which undermines public trust in sport.
Examiner Tip: Name specific drugs, their effects, and link to ethical principles such as fairness, respect and health. Reference WADA or UKAD to show wider knowledge.
Step-by-Step Worked Solutions
Question: Explain how the concept of sportsmanship differs from gamesmanship in sport. (4 marks)
- 1.Step 1: Define sportsmanship as behaviour that shows fair play, respect for opponents and officials, and graciousness in victory or defeat.
- 2.Step 2: Define gamesmanship as unsporting behaviour that does not break the written rules but seeks to gain an unfair advantage, e.g., time-wasting or sledging.
- 3.Step 3: Provide a contrasting example: shaking hands after a match (sportsmanship) versus deliberately distracting an opponent (gamesmanship).
- 4.Step 4: Conclude that sportsmanship upholds the spirit of sport, while gamesmanship undermines it without technically cheating.
Final Answer: Sportsmanship is fair and respectful behaviour, while gamesmanship bends the rules to gain an advantage without breaking them.
Question: Evaluate the effectiveness of strategies used by national governing bodies to promote ethical behaviour in sport. (6 marks)
- 1.Step 1: Identify strategies such as education programmes, strict punishments, and promoting positive role models.
- 2.Step 2: Explain how education (e.g., workshops for young athletes) can raise awareness of doping and fair play.
- 3.Step 3: Discuss the deterrent effect of punishments like bans and fines, using examples from football or athletics.
- 4.Step 4: Consider limitations: some athletes still cheat, enforcement is difficult, and commercial pressures may override ethics.
- 5.Step 5: Weigh up the overall effectiveness: strategies can reduce unethical behaviour but cannot eliminate it entirely.
- 6.Step 6: Conclude with a balanced judgement that a combination of education and enforcement is most effective.
Final Answer: Strategies are partially effective; education and sanctions reduce but do not eradicate unethical behaviour due to enforcement challenges and external pressures.
Active Recall Memory Test
What is the difference between sportsmanship and gamesmanship?
Key Fact: Sportsmanship is fair, respectful behaviour that upholds the spirit of sport; gamesmanship is unsporting behaviour that bends the rules without breaking them to gain an advantage.
Give an example of positive deviance in sport.
Key Fact: A rugby player continuing to play with a broken nose or a marathon runner training beyond recommended limits, demonstrating over-conformity to the norm of commitment.
What are the three main ethical issues associated with doping?
Key Fact: Fair play (unfair advantage), health risks (side effects), and role model influence (setting a bad example for young athletes).
How do national governing bodies promote ethical behaviour?
Key Fact: By enforcing rules, issuing sanctions for violations, running education programmes, and promoting positive role models.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between gamesmanship and deviance in sport?
Gamesmanship refers to unsporting behaviour that does not break the written rules, such as time-wasting or distracting an opponent. Deviance is behaviour that breaks the rules or norms of sport, which can be positive (e.g., playing through injury) or negative (e.g., doping or violence). While gamesmanship is a type of deviance, it is specifically about bending rules without technically breaking them.
Why is doping considered unethical in sport?
Doping is unethical because it violates the principle of fair play, giving athletes an unfair advantage over clean competitors. It also poses serious health risks to the athlete and undermines the spirit of sport, which values natural talent and effort. Furthermore, doped athletes can become negative role models, influencing young people to take drugs.
What role does WADA play in promoting ethics in sport?
The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) sets the global standards for anti-doping, including the prohibited list of substances and methods. It coordinates testing and sanctions through the World Anti-Doping Code, which national governing bodies must follow. WADA also funds research and education to promote clean sport and ethical behaviour worldwide.
How can national governing bodies encourage sportsmanship?
National governing bodies can encourage sportsmanship by implementing codes of conduct, rewarding fair play with awards, and running educational workshops for athletes and coaches. They can also impose sanctions for unsporting behaviour, such as fines or bans, to deter gamesmanship. Promoting positive role models within the sport is another effective strategy.
What are some examples of ethical issues in sport today?
Current ethical issues include doping (e.g., in athletics and cycling), match-fixing (e.g., in cricket and tennis), corruption in sports governance (e.g., FIFA), and the use of technology like VAR raising questions about fairness. Other issues include the exploitation of young athletes and the pressure to win at all costs, which can lead to cheating.
How do I structure a 6-mark evaluation answer on ethics in sport?
Start by defining the key concept or strategy, then provide two or three arguments for and against, using specific sporting examples. Each point should be explained and linked back to ethical principles. Finish with a justified conclusion that weighs up the evidence and states your overall judgement. Use connectives like 'however' and 'therefore' to show balance.