Aggression Flashcards
Hostile aggression
Intent to harm
Outside the rules
Reactive
Out of control
Assertion (channelled aggression)
No intent to harm
Well intentioned
In control
Inside the rules
Causes of aggressive behaviour
Retaliation Importance of event Frustration Drugs (steroids) Aggressive cue Expectation of game Displaced aggression Social learning Natural trait aggression
Catharsis
Cleanse the emotions - way of getting rid of frustration
5 theories of aggression
Instinct theory Social learning theory Interactionism Frustration-aggression theory Aggressive cue Hypothesis
Instinct theory (Eysenck)
Born with a certain extent of trait aggression - predisposition to be aggressive
It is stable and enduring
Critical evaluation of instinct theory
- most people have grown to recognise cause and effect of aggression
- aggression can be triggered by a certain situation
- some people never show aggression
- too simplistic and not proven.
Social learning theory (bandura)
Aggression is learnt from watching and copying significant others
More likely to copy if: same gender, socially acceptable behaviour, rewarded or reinforced, first hand aggression, less likely to copy if punished
Critical evaluation of social learning theory
- ignores genetic influences
- identical twin showed some trait element (genetics)
- anger issues demonstrate genetic element
Frustration aggression theory (Dollard)
If inevitable aggression is a success — catharsis
Drive to goal — obstacle — frustration — inevitable aggression
If inevitable aggression is punished (or prohibited) — more aggression — frustration
Critical evaluation of frustration aggression theory
- frustration doesn’t always lead to inevitable aggression
- can become aggressive without frustration e.g. zidanne headbutt
Aggressive cue hypothesis (berkowitz)
Goals blocked (poor refereeing) — increased arousal — aggressive cues present — aggression more likely — no aggressive cue present — aggression less likely
The frustration of the goals being blocked =
A readiness or predisposition for aggression only likely when a cue is present
Bad cue
Poor referee decision
Bad tackle
Bad decision from player
Critical evaluation of aggressive cue hypothesis
- punishment enables bond to be broken down stopping aggression
- creates a feeling of dissatisfaction from punishment
