What is sporting behaviour, and why does deviance happen at elite level?
Sportsmanship and gamesmanship, and the reasons for and consequences of deviance (such as doping and violence) at elite level.
A focused answer to Edexcel GCSE PE on ethics and deviance in sport: the difference between sportsmanship and gamesmanship, and the reasons for and consequences of deviance such as doping and violence at elite level.
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What this dot point is asking
Edexcel wants you to define sportsmanship and gamesmanship with examples, and explain the reasons for and consequences of deviance (such as doping and violence) at elite level.
Sportsmanship and gamesmanship
Deviance at elite level
Why deviance happens
The exam asks for the reasons. Elite sport carries intense pressure to win, because careers, places and national pride depend on results. The financial rewards (prize money, contracts, sponsorship) are huge, so the temptation to cheat for an edge is great. Athletes may believe their rivals are also cheating, so they feel they must cheat to compete. The commercial pressure of modern sport (see commercialisation) raises the stakes further.
The consequences
The consequences of deviance are severe. If caught, an athlete faces disqualification, bans, fines, stripped medals and a destroyed reputation. Doping carries serious health risks. The sport itself suffers damaged credibility, lost sponsors and a poor example to young fans. This is why anti-doping testing and strict punishments exist, to deter deviance and protect fair, clean competition.
Why doping is banned
Performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) are banned for two main reasons: they give an unfair advantage that breaks the level playing field of sport, and they put the athlete's health at serious risk. Different drugs do different things, which the exam may touch on: anabolic steroids build muscle and allow harder training, stimulants increase alertness and mask fatigue, beta blockers steady the hands and calm nerves in precision sports, and blood doping or the hormone EPO raises the red blood cell count to boost endurance. Each carries real dangers, from heart problems and high blood pressure to long-term organ damage and dependency.
Because the rewards are so high, sport relies on anti-doping systems to deter cheating: random in- and out-of-competition testing, the requirement for athletes to be available for testing, and severe punishments such as multi-year bans and stripped titles. The point is to protect both fair competition and the health of athletes, so a strong answer links the ban to fairness and to safety, not just to the punishment.
Exam-style practice questions
Practice questions written in the style of Pearson Edexcel exam questions on this dot point, with worked answer explainers. The year tag is the paper they imitate, not the source.
Edexcel 20193 marksDefine sportsmanship and gamesmanship, and give one example of gamesmanship.Show worked answer →
A Component 2 short-answer question. One mark for each definition, one for the example.
Award marks for: sportsmanship is playing fairly, within the rules and spirit of the game, with respect for opponents and officials (for example kicking the ball out so an injured player can be treated); gamesmanship is gaining an advantage by bending the rules or using questionable tactics without actually breaking the rules (for example time-wasting, or deliberately distracting an opponent before they serve).
The example must show bending, not breaking, the rules.
Edexcel 20214 marksExplain the reasons why an elite performer might take performance-enhancing drugs (deviance), and the consequences of doing so.Show worked answer →
A Component 2 application question, marks for reasons and consequences.
Award marks for reasons: the pressure to win, huge financial rewards and sponsorship, national pressure, and a belief that rivals are also doping. Award marks for consequences: if caught, disqualification, bans, fines, stripped medals and a destroyed reputation; serious health risks; and damage to the image of the sport and the example set to young fans.
Strong answers give both why deviance happens and what it costs the performer and the sport.
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Sources & how we know this
- Pearson Edexcel GCSE (9-1) Physical Education (1PE0) specification — Pearson Edexcel (2016)