aggression Flashcards
aggression
an individual purposefully harms or injures their opponent outside the rules of the game
theories of aggression
- instinct theory
- social learning
- frustration-aggression hypothesis
- aggressive cue hypothesis
instinct theory
a natural trait or predisposition to be aggressive, it is genetically determined and we are born with the tendency to defend ourselves and in sport our territory
- they believe that the aggression is built up inside, if we are provoked enough then we act aggressively
- Lorenz
- innate characteristic of acting aggressively/ being a natural response
- used to be hunters gatherers
- need it for survival during evolution
- need to release aggression = sports involving aggressive action allow natural release
criticism:
- human aggression is often not spontaneous
- doesn’t take into account premeditated aggressive actions
- aggressive players don’t always show aggressive tendencies in situations outside of sport
- levels of aggression can increase throughout a sporting game, levels don’t always decrease followig an act of aggression
- too simplified/ too generalised
- often a learned response + linked to culture rather than a purely instinctive one
- more reasoning involved e.g. other factors outside the individual
frustration-aggression hypothesis
when a performer has a drive to achieve but the goal is blocked when trying to reach the goal, then they experience aggression
- according to the theory the frustration always leads to aggression
drive to a goal –> obstacle or barrier to the goal –> frustration –> aggression –> EITHER success + catharsis OR punishment + back to frustration (back to frustration –> aggression etc..)
- Dollard
- sole reason for aggression = feeling frustration
- once an athlete feels frustrated, they will ALWAYS act aggressively
- key source of frustration is when a goal is blocked
= increases drive –> increasing frustration + aggression - if success follows then aggression leads to catharsis
criticism:
- not considering individual differences + different situations e..g some people may just be aggressive e..g someone nearly broke your leg while tackling so now you’ve snapped, some people may feel frustrated + slow build up situation e.g. nudging constantly
-not all frustration leads to aggression + aggression occurs w/ no evidence of frustration
- doesn’t consider other emotions related to frustration, that may occur instead of aggression e.g. a performer giving up
- factors such as retaliation, respect for another person, fear of penalties may stop someone from acting aggressive
- was originially linked to the instinct theory as stated frustration always leads to aggression
- needs to be learned
aggression-cue hypothesis
Berkowitz stated that when a performer has their goal blocked their arousal level increases and they experience frustration, this then leads them to being ready for an aggressive act with a particular cue present
- certain stimuli must be present = act as cues
= prime a performer to respond in an aggressive way - these can relate to a particular place, opposiiton or sport itself (e.g. local derby mathc, ice hockey sticks, rugby)
- frustration leads to an increase in arousal = creates readiness
- when at this level of arousal, if an aggressive cue os present, the performer will show aggression
criticism:
- if arousal levels can be controlled, aggression can be controlled as well
- doesn’t take into account that aggression may be justified
= just not a response to a cue
- occurs as an opponent may present a genuine threat + that some people display
social learning theory
aggression is learnt by the role models we watch and then we copy their behaviour, found in the bobo doll experiment. a performer can be aggressive due to socialisation
- we learn aggressive behaviour from observing + copying others (vicarious processes) or by direct reinforcement of our behaviour/ social acceptance
- aggressive behaviour is more likely to be copied if an observer sees a sifnificant other acting in an aggressive way
criticism:
aggression can be controlled
- doesn’t explain why some people replicate and some dont
-
- disputes the idea that we have natural aggressive drives towards goals
- we can learn to be aggressive = watch signiificant others
- if sports people can learn aggressive behaviour, they can learn non-aggressive tendencies
ways to manage aggression
- give or highlight position of responsibility = raising them as a role model, more likely to behave responsibly
- pressure non (PIC OF PHONE)
- praise non-aggressive behaviour
- punish aggression
- relaxation techniques
- stress-management techniques = control arousal behaviour
assertion
- forceful behaviour within the rules of the sport
- channeled aggression
e..g rgby player driving through a tackle with the ball
