What does it mean to play fairly, and why do some performers cheat or behave violently?
The concepts of sportsmanship, gamesmanship and deviance, etiquette and the spirit of sport, the reasons for and consequences of deviant behaviour, and violence in sport by performers and spectators.
A focused answer to OCR GCSE PE Component 02 on ethics and deviance: sportsmanship, gamesmanship and etiquette, deviance and the reasons performers break the rules, the consequences of deviance, and violence in sport by both performers and spectators.
Reviewed by: AI editorial process; not yet individually human-reviewed
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What this dot point is asking
OCR wants you to define sportsmanship, gamesmanship and deviance, explain etiquette and the spirit of sport, give the reasons for and consequences of deviant behaviour, and discuss violence in sport.
Sportsmanship, gamesmanship and etiquette
Examples of sportsmanship include kicking the ball out of play so an injured player can be treated, or applauding an opponent's good play. Examples of etiquette include shaking hands before and after a match, or a footballer returning the ball to the opposition after a stoppage. Examples of gamesmanship include time-wasting when ahead, sledging (verbally distracting an opponent), or feigning an injury to get an opponent booked.
Deviance in sport
Violence in sport
Violence can come from performers or spectators. Performer violence (such as a deliberate dangerous tackle or a punch) is caused by factors including frustration, the pressure to win, retaliation, high arousal, and a feeling of importance attached to the result. Spectator violence (such as hooliganism) is caused by factors including rivalry, alcohol, crowd behaviour, frustration at results or officials, and a feeling of anonymity in a large crowd.
Why ethics and deviance matter
The values of fair play hold sport together, while commercial pressures and the rewards of winning push some performers towards deviance (linking to commercialisation and to drugs in sport). Governing bodies use rules, punishments, education and technology to protect the integrity of sport, because deviance damages performers, spectators and the sport's image.
Exam-style practice questions
Practice questions written in the style of OCR exam questions on this dot point, with worked answer explainers. The year tag is the paper they imitate, not the source.
OCR 20183 marksExplain the difference between sportsmanship and gamesmanship, using an example of each.Show worked answer →
A Component 02 item testing the two concepts and applying them.
Sportsmanship is playing fair and showing respect for opponents, officials and the rules, including the unwritten conventions (etiquette), for example kicking the ball out of play so an injured opponent can be treated, or shaking hands after a match.
Gamesmanship is bending the rules or using questionable tactics to gain an advantage without actually breaking the rules, for example time-wasting, sledging (trying to put an opponent off), or appealing loudly to influence an official.
Markers want a clear contrast (fair play and respect versus pushing the rules to the limit) plus a correct example of each.
OCR 20214 marksSuggest two reasons a performer might commit an act of deviance, and explain two consequences of deviant behaviour in sport.Show worked answer →
A 4-mark item. Award marks for the reasons and the consequences.
Reasons (any two): the pressure to win (and the rewards of winning, such as money, fame and sponsorship); gamesmanship culture or pressure from coaches; frustration or retaliation; the belief that they will not get caught.
Consequences (any two): punishment (bans, fines, disqualification, loss of medals or titles); damage to reputation and loss of sponsorship; a negative role model effect on young people; injury to themselves or others (for violent acts); and damage to the image of the sport.
Markers want two genuine reasons and two clear consequences, ideally linked to a real type of deviance such as doping, match-fixing or violence.
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Sources & how we know this
- OCR GCSE (9-1) Physical Education J587 specification — OCR (2016)