Question:

The passage given below is followed by four summaries. Choose the option that best captures the author’s position.
The early optimism about sport's deterrent effects on delinquency was premature as researchers failed to find any consistent relationships between sports participation and deviance. As the initial studies were based upon cross-sectional data and the effects captured were short-term, it was problematic to test and verify the temporal sequencing of events suggested by the deterrence theory. The correlation between sport and delinquency could not be disentangled from class and cultural variables known. Choosing individuals to play sports in the first place was problematic, which became more acute in the subsequent decades as researchers began to document just how closely sports participation was linked to social class indicators.

Updated On: Jul 29, 2025
  • Sports participation is linked to class and cultural variables such as education, income, and social capital.
  • Contradicting the previous optimism, latter researchers have proved that there is no consistent relationship between sports participation and deviance.
  • Statistical and empirical weaknesses stand in the way of inferring any relationship between sports participation and deviance.
  • There is a direct relationship between sport participation and delinquency but it needs more empirical evidence.
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The Correct Option is C

Solution and Explanation

The passage highlights the initial optimism about the role of sports in preventing delinquency. However, it underscores the lack of consistent findings in research linking sports participation to reduced deviance. This inconsistency is attributed to the limitations of early studies, which relied heavily on cross-sectional data that provided only short-term insights, making it difficult to establish a clear cause-and-effect relationship over time as suggested by deterrence theory. Moreover, the relationship between sports and delinquency is complicated by class and cultural variables, as well as the selection of individuals for sports, which are often influenced by social class indicators.
The option that best summarizes the author's position is: Statistical and empirical weaknesses stand in the way of inferring any relationship between sports participation and deviance. This choice captures the essence of the passage, emphasizing the methodological limitations and challenges in drawing definitive conclusions from the research on this topic.
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