Aggression Flashcards
Define aggression
Any form of behaviour directed towards the goal of harming or injuring another human being who is motivated to avoid such treatment
3 types of aggression
Hostile
Instrumental
Assertive behaviour
Characteristics of hostile aggression
Main aim is to harm and inflict injury.
Aggressive actions are outside the rules of the game
‘Hostile destructiveness’
Hostile aggression involves anger.
This type of aggression needs to be eliminated from sport!
Characteristics of instrumental (channelled) aggression
Actions within the rules of the game.
Although PRIME motive is the successful execution of the skill, there is still the intention to harm.
Anger is not evident.
Present in many sporting situations
Characteristics of assertive behaviour
Strictly within the rules and spirit of the game.
Robust, but functional play.
Primarily focused on completing the skill successfully.
‘Non-hostile self-protective mastery behaviour’ (PARENS, 1987)
Antecedents of aggression in sport
NATURE OF THE GAME E.G. LOCAL DERBIES
HUMILIATION E.G. WIDE DIVISION BETWEEN SCORES
PREVIOUSLY DEVELOPED GRUDGES OR SCORES TO SETTLE
HOSTILE CROWDS / ENVIRONMENT
THE VENUE… AWAY TEAM
FRUSTRATION CAUSED BY POOR PERFORMANCE, OPPOSITION OR
REFS DECISIONS.
TOO HIGH AROUSAL LEVELS – CATASTROPHE THEORY
EXTRINSIC REWARDS / PRESSURES
Instinct theory of aggression - trait
A trait theory proposed by Freud (1920)
States that aggression is inevitable as it is genetically inherited, and is therefore predictable
The aggressive trait is called the ‘death instinct’ which is behaving aggressively, even when self destructive (not in the individual’s best interests)
Social Learning Theory of aggression
Proposed by Bandura (1966)
Aggression is learned through imitation of others, particularly of role models (Bobo doll experiment)
Aggression is more likely to be copied if the role model is reinforced for it
Aggression is more likely if it is the social norm of the group, which may link to the sport being played
FRUSTRATION AGGRESSION HYPOTHESIS
Proposed by Dollard (1939).
‘Frustration develops when goal-directed behaviour or Need to Achieve is blocked.’
The tendency toward frustration is increased when the pursued goal reflects ego or outcome orientation.
Frustration could occur through environmental situations, which triggers the aggressive gene
Aggression becomes the goal due to this frustration (2 outcomes)
1. Aggression = successful = cathartic release
2. Aggression = unsuccessful = more frustration
AGGRESSION CUE HYPOTHESIS (BERKOWITZ, 1969)
Builds upon DOLLARD’S Frustration Aggression hypothesis.
Frustration leads to an increase in arousal which will, in some situations, result in an increase in aggression.
Frustration creates a ‘readiness’ for aggression, which is triggered by provocative cues when arousal is high.
Aggressive cues = perceived unfairness, the opponent, the nature of the game, etc.
Better players have the ability/temperament to control frustration and arousal.
Methods to Eliminate Aggression
Punish aggressive play.
Withdraw violent players from the situation.
Stress performance rather than the outcome.
Emphasise non-aggressive role models.
Make use of cognitive strategies to prevent aggressive play.
Positively reinforce non-aggressive behaviour and negatively reinforce aggressive behaviour.
Change athletes perceptions of the situation.
Implement Somatic stress management techniques.
Lower arousal levels
Increase peer pressure to be non-aggressive
3 strengths of instinct theory of agression
It can be a natural human instinct to be aggressive / aggression could be a result of genetics / trait
Aggression can be hard to control
Some people are always aggressive / aggression is predictable in some people
3 weaknesses of instinct theory
Not all humans/cultures show aggressive behaviour
Too simplistic/ too generalised
