Aggression Flashcards
Aggression
Intent to cause harm outside of the laws of the sport.
Assertion
Forceful behaviour within the laws of the event.
Examples of aggression
Player: Contact sports, high pressure, fights, cricket bowling at head
Coach: Football manager leaving box
Spectator: Pitch invasions
Examples of assertion
Player: Fast bowlers doing bouncers to intimidate batsman, legal tackles
Coach: Stating opinions on opponent/officials
Spectator: Shouting/chanting
Theories of aggression
> Instinct theory
Frustration aggression hypothesis
Social learning theory
Aggressive cue hypothesis
Instinct theory
Evolutionary trait theory that we are born with aggressive instinct that surfaces when provoked or under threat.
Example of instinct theory
> Territory - protection team mates at home ground
Catharsis is experienced when control is restored
Issues with instinct theory
> Not all aggressive acts are reactive, some are pre-determined
Frustration aggression hypothesis
Frustration always leads to aggression.
> Blocking goals a performer wishes to achieve increases drive and aggression.
Example of frustration aggression hypothesis
> Golfer throwing club
Bowling a beamer when struggling to get batsman out
Social learning theory
Aggression is a learned response copied from significant others (teammates, coaches, role models)
Types of social learning
Vicarious modelling: Seeing professionals use intimidation towards officials to sway decision - grassroots copy
Verbal persuasion: Coach/player persuade someone else to do something - target specific opponents
Aggressive cue hypothesis
Individual is frustrated when arousal levels are increased which creates readiness for aggression.
> Initiated by an incident
Example of aggressive cue hypothesis
Types of aggression
> Hostile
Channelled
Reactive
Instrumental
Hostile aggression
The intent to injure is a central aim/focus.
Channelled aggression
Term for assertion - the athlete plays a hard game, however intent is to show dominance, not to harm.
Reactive aggression
Aggressive act due to threat and provocation - reaction to dangerous challenge.
Instrumental aggression
Passive aggression - primary intention is not to injure, however act is carried out without care for others and injury is possible.
Causes of aggression
> Over arousal
Underdeveloped moral reasoning
Bracketed morality
Over arousal
> Heightened psychological arousal
Leads to lack of ability to exert self control
Underdeveloped moral reasoning
> Aggression is justified by the performer
They feel the response is appropriate
Lack of sportsmanship
Bracketed morality
> Aggression can b seen as acceptable in some situations
Performers are able to moralise its use in sport
Learned behaviour
Boxing
Football crowds riot together
Linking types to theories
1) Instinct - Hostile
2) Social learning - Channelled
3) Aggressive cue - Reactive
4) Frustration-aggression - Instrumental
Preventing aggression
Player: Channel aggression into assertion
Coach: Punish with fines, substitutions, reward inverse, promote responsibilities
Official: Apply rules consistently and fairly
