From a functionalist perspective, sanctions and reintegration play what role in sport deviance?

• A. They reinforce social solidarity and collective values.
• B. They have no impact on the team's values.
• C. They erode social cohesion.
• D. They always lead to long-term exclusion.

Answer: (A)

From a functionalist view, sanctions and reintegration act as social controls that keep the group’s norms strong and the team cohesive. Punishing deviant behavior signals which actions are off-limits and helps reaffirm shared values across players, coaches, and fans. When a person is held accountable, others see that norms apply to everyone, which strengthens solidarity and a sense of belonging within the group. Reintegration then allows the individual to return after accountability, preserving unity and showing that deviation can be corrected without dissolving the group. In this framework, sanctions and reintegration reinforce social solidarity and collective values.

The other ideas miss how norms are maintained: sanctions do influence team values, rather than having no impact; they do not erode cohesion when handled through reintegration; and they do not inherently lead to permanent exclusion, since reintegration seeks to restore the member to the group.