2.2.6. Aggression Flashcards
Aggression definition
The intent to harm or injure someone outside the rules of the game.
Assertion definition:
Forceful behaviour within the laws of the game.
What are the 4 theories of aggression?
Instinct theory
Social learning theory
Frustration-aggression hypothesis
Aggressive cue hypothesis
What are the three theories of personality?
- SLT (environment)
- Trait (innate)
- Interactionist theory (behaviour is a combo of trait and environment)
What is the instinct theory?
- Trait approach
- Trait of aggression is innate
- Stable, enduring and consistent across situations
- Every individual has the trait of aggression which can be spontaneously released at any time.
Strengths of instinct theory
- Aggression can be innate/ genetic
- Aggression can be hard to control
- Some people are consistently aggressive
- Can feel a release of aggression/ catharsis when channelling aggression into sport
Example of instinct theory
A boxer inheriting the trait of aggression and demonstrating it inside and outside the ring.
Weaknesses of instinct theory
- Too simplistic/ generalised
- Not all humans show aggressive behaviour
- Aggression is often not spontaneous
- Aggression is often learned
- Aggression can depend upon the environment situation
What is social learning theory?
- Aggression is learned from the environment
- Learnt by watching and copying role models or significant others
- More likely to be behaviour that has been reinforced
Example of SLT
A young football player imitates Luis Suarez biting (friends laugh and he continues to do it)
Strength of SLT
- Bobo Doll experiment supports theory
- Evidence that aggression can be imitated from significant others
Weakness of SLT
- People can be aggressive without ever having seen aggression
- Doesn’t explain aggression in young children
- Doesn’t take into account innate traits
- People with similar role models act differently
- Some people will see aggression but won’t copy.
What is the frustration-aggression hypothesis?
- Goal directed behaviour is blocked
- Frustration
- Aggression either leads to punishment which increases frustration further or success which leads to catharsis.
Example of the frustration-aggression hypothesis
- Basketballer dribbling towards basket to score
- Defender fouls player
- Player becomes frustrated and either the player hits out at the defender and feels more frustrated so commits and illegal foul OR the player hits out at the defender, feels better and continues to play.
Strengths of frustration-aggression hypothesis
- More realistic than instinct theory
- Evidence of it happening in sport
- You do get a sense of catharsis when frustration is released as aggression
- Acknowledge the link between frustration and aggression
- Could be useful to help coaches manage player’s aggression.
Weaknesses of the frustration-aggression hypothesis
- Frustration doesn’t always lead to aggression
- Doesn’t take into account different environment
- Unpunished aggression doesn’t always lead to catharsis
- Doesn’t take into account those born with aggressive traits
- Some people become motivated instead of frustrated
What is the aggressive cue hypothesis?
- Interactionist
- Goal directed behaviour is blocked
- Frustration
- Increased arousal either leads to increased chance of aggression if an aggressive cue is present or decreased chance of aggression if the aggressive cue is not present
Example of aggressive cue hypothesis
- Nature of sport -> ice hockey stick, golf club, opposition shirt
- Weapons/ objects -> boxing/ ice hockey/ rugby
-Places -> Playing somewhere you got injured previously - People -> Rival/ being provoked by someone
- Nature of event -> Derby match
- Perceived unfairness -> Incorrect referee decision
- Witnessing violence -> Seeing team mate punched
Strengths of aggressive cue hypothesis
- Frustration can lead to increased arousal
- Aggressive cues can lead to aggression
- Takes into account the environment
Weaknesses of aggressive cue hypothesis
- Aggression can occur without having high arousal levels
- People can walk away from aggressive cues
What are the methods to eliminate aggression?
- REMOVAL from situation or remove cues
- EDUCATE about outcomes, make clear the consequences
- LOWER AROUSAL, use relaxation techniques/ imagery to calm down
- ATTENTION -> use of selective attention to concentrate/ block out
- PUNISHMENT towards negative aggressive behaviour
- SELF-TALK -> use positive self talk or raise self esteem
