7. Aggression in Sport Flashcards
Aggression
any form of behaviour directed toward the goal of harming or injuring another living being who is motivated to avoid such treatment
4 criteria of aggression:
It is a behaviour
It involves intent
It involves harm or injury
It is directed towards a living organism
Types of aggression
Hostile aggression
The primary goal is to inflict injury or psychological harm
Instrumental aggression
Intent to harm is present, yet there is an external goal (e.g. Victory, money etc) and the aggressive act is instrumental in achieving the goal
Assertive behaviour
Use of legitimate physical or verbal force but there is no intent to harm
Hostile aggression
- Intent to harm
- Goal to harm
- Anger
Assertive behaviour
- No intent to harm
- Legitimate force
- Unusual effort and energy
expenditure
Instrumental aggression
- Intent to harm
- Goal to win
- No anger
Theories that cause aggression?
Instinct theories – ethological approach to aggression
Drive theories
Social learning theories
Instinct Theory
aggressiveness is innate characteristic
individuals are born with instinct that makes aggressive
behaviour inevitable
hitting opponent is cathartic
Sport important domain to channel aggressive behaviours in socially acceptable way
No empirical support for the instinct theory in explaining aggression in a sporting context
Variants of the serotonin transporter gene linked to aggression
Frustration-Aggression
Theory
Aggression is a response to frustration and the aggressive act provides catharsis
Frustrations occur regularly in sporting context
Frustration does not necessarily result in aggression but creates readiness for aggression which may translate to aggressive behaviour if certain stimuli are present
Factor that leads to aggression
Frustration is just one antecedent of aggression
– other possible causes of aggression.
Social Learning Theory
aggression was a learned behaviour through social
modelling and direct reinforcement
Strongest social influence on player’s aggression
team- level aggression predicted player aggression
only one situational cause of aggression
frustation
Other provocative situational factors
Provocation, spectators, conditions of playing
Personal factors influence aggression
Traits, attitudes, beliefs
4 Types of aggression in sport
Play paratelic- mastery
Power telic-mastery
Anger telic-negativistic
Thrill paratellic-negativistic
Play paratelic- mastery
Sanctioned
Acts of aggression permitted
within the special context of sport
Use of the hip/shoulder
when in contact with an
opponent
Power telic-mastery
Unsanctioned
Acts of intimidation intended to dominate opponent
A deliberately high tackle
Anger telic-negativistic
Unsanctioned
Often an immediate angry
response to an opponent’s action
Retaliatory punches
thrown in response to
being struck or tripped
by an opponent
Thrill paratellic-negativistic
Unsanctioned
Engaged to provoke an
aggressive response from an
opponent just for the thrill of what ensues
Deliberately starting a
punch-up
Sport often conducted in front of spectators
Not usually passive observers
Actively identify with their team
Success of the team determines an individual’s positive social identity
Is sport cathartic?
Suggestions that watching violent contact sport increases a spectator’s readiness to be
aggressive
more aggression on pitch results in
more fan enjoyment
Losing effect on spectators
greater tendency for spectator
aggression
Exacerbated if spectators exhibited high levels of
identification
Difficulties in understanding impact of aggression on
performance
Definitional issues regarding aggressive behaviour vs. assertive behaviour
Measuring success difficult and no standardisation across sports
aggression is most likely to occur when
Individuals are losing
Perceive unfair officiating
In physical pain
Embarrassed
Playing below capabilities
strategies can be used by
practitioners to reduce aggressive behaviours
Provide role models of non-
aggressive behaviour
Severe punishment for athletes who engage in aggressive acts
Use rewards and praise for showing restraint and patience in emotionally charged situations
Educate players on the distinction between aggressive behaviour and assertive behaviour
Stress management techniques
