Chapter 4: Sports Within the Dynamic Changes of Cultural Development

Psychologist and athletes share meaningful connections throughout history and in the present time. Both, sport and psychology are cultural constructs that have established a powerful relationship in society. The road to this position was in both cases very interesting and not all too easy. This chapter shall allow us to take a close look at the historical paths of sport and psychology and highlight their significant connections; whether it is on the individual level or as widespread cultural phenomena. Rather than comparing sport and psychology, two powerful domains and tools for understanding and achieving the maximum of human possibilities, we intend to merge those fields into an overview of the development of sports within the dynamics of culture. The analysis is divided into four thematic topics: Institutionalization and expansion of possibilities for sports and individuals, sport as catalysts for magnificent human achievement, the meaning of inclusion and chances for all and the illustration of limits of human achievement in both, sports and psychology.

The goal is to show the variety of influences from different industries and movements that have led the development of sport throughout history. We want to emphasize sport as a cultural psychological phenomenon that has played an important role for the social and cultural development of our society. The knowledge resulting from this chapter shall aid in understanding the meaning of sport within our everyday lives and psychological positions of athletes and other individuals who devote themselves to individual or general progress in sport.