ABSTRACT
This chapter defines the term theory and elaborates why theory is important in the study of diversity and inclusion. It discusses how the different theories can be applied to diversity and inclusion issues within organizations for sport and physical activity. Theory offers ideas about when the relationships are likely to take place. Theory is clearly important in scholarly endeavors and in research related to diversity and inclusion. Given the primacy of theory in understanding diversity and inclusion, the chapter offers an overview of the relevant theories in this area. In doing so, it classify them into three groups: managerial, sociological, and social psychological. Information/decision-making theory draws from some of the same principles. Functionalism focuses on how sport contributes to the positive attributes of society, such as persistence, cohesion, community, and cooperation, to name a few. Interactionist theory represents a departure from the sociological theories focusing on structural forces and instead seeks to understand how people give meaning to their lives.
