Science as Myth in Physical Education.

Scientization is a process that refers to the mythologies that are generated around the practices of working scientists. This paper discusses how science works on popular consciousness and how particular occupational groups use science to legitimatize their discipline, specifically in physical education. Two examples are presented to illustrate this point. The first relates to trends in the Department of Human Movement Studies in the university system in Australia. The second relates to a lesson on Body Image observed as part of a secondary school physical education program. The lesson focused on the micro-structure of muscle rather than the concept of the social construction of the body-in-culture. Conclusions maintain that the myth of science in secondary and tertiary level physical education programs needs to be deconstructed. (MDH)