A1 Journal article (refereed)
Is culture a (still) useful category of psychological and social analysis? (2020)

Mcdougall, M., Ryba, T. V., & Ronkainen, N. J. (2020). Is culture a (still) useful category of psychological and social analysis?. International Journal of Sport Psychology, 51(6), 626-645. https://doi.org/10.7352/IJSP.2020.51.626

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Mcdougall, Michael; Ryba, Tatiana V.; Ronkainen, Noora J.

Journal or series: International Journal of Sport Psychology

ISSN: 0047-0767

Publication year: 2020

Volume: 51

Issue number: 6

Pages range: 626-645

Publisher: Edizioni Luigi Pozzi

Publication country: Italy

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.7352/IJSP.2020.51.626

Persistent website address: http://www.ijsp-online.com/abstract/view/51/626

Publication open access: Not open

Publication channel open access: 

Abstract

The need to centralize culture in research and practice is now well-established in sport psychology and spans different genres of our discipline. Yet, in spite of some precious gains made in the last decade, the culture concept and the uses of it in sport psychology have already arguably become limited and stifled. Setting this observation within historical patterns of culture study witnessed in other disciplines (e.g., anthropology, cultural studies, organizational management), we offer a theoretical critique that outlines the possibility for the death of culture as a meaningful concept in Organizational Sport Psychology and Cultural Sport Psychology. Subsequently, we argue for the continued usefulness of culture and, how, in spite of many infirmities, it remains an essential concept for the analysis of psychological and social life. For culture to remain intellectually vital in these analyses (and in the development of competent cultural practice) though, it must be positioned differently, and with more theoretical variety and rigor. To support our arguments, we close with 5 (not exhaustive) recommendations that can help to secure the future of culture in sport psychology.

Keywords: sport psychology; culture; interculturalism; cultural differences; sociocultural factors; psychological coaching

Free keywords: cultural competence; difference; meaning; mode of being; practice

Contributing organizations

Ministry reporting: Yes

Reporting Year: 2021

JUFO rating: 1