Aggression & assertion Flashcards
Define assertion.
Well motivated and controlled behaviour that uses necessary physical or verbal force in order to achieve the goal within the rules of the game.
List factors of aggression:
- intent to harm
- intentional
- outside of rules
- out of control
- can disrupt team performance and cohesion
Give factors of assertive behaviour.
- acceptable
- legitimate verbal or physical force
- goal directed
- within the rules of the sport
- controlled and well motivated
- NO intention to harm
Give a typical example of assertion.
A hard fair tackle in rugby.
Give an example of aggression.
A rugby player punching another in the face.
In trying to head a football, a player clashes heads with another player, causing serious injury to his opponent. Aggression or assertion?
Assertion.
A boxer traps his opponent against the ropes and leads with his head into the chin of his opponent. Aggression or assertion?
Aggression.
List some causes of aggression?
- playing badly
- losing
- over-arousal
- belief it’s ok
- media & coach pressure
- crowd & venue
What are the 4 theories of aggression?
- Instinct
- Social learning
- Frustration aggression hypothesis
- Aggression cue hypothesis
Who was the instinct theory created by?
Freud.
Who was the social learning theory created by?
Bandura.
Who was the frustration aggression hypothesis created by?
Dollard
Who was the aggression cue hypothesis created by?
Berkowitz
Explain the instinct theory.
- Genetically inherited
- Aggression is instinctive in all humans, a survival response?
- Claimed humans retain some of ritualistic animal aggressive instincts that will surface under threat (e.g. invasion).
Give an example of the instinct theory.
An American football player tackles another player high on purpose. Once aggressive, always aggressive.
What is catharsis?
The letting off of steam/cleansing of emotions. Explains why older men play rugby for a bad team on the weekend.
What are the criticisms of the instinct theory?
- No innate aggressive drive has been found
- Measuring cathartic effect is difficult
- Sian (1985) argues that not all humans are aggressive
- Human aggression is seen as reactive and modifiable.
- Lorenz does not take into account socialising influences
- Aggression can be seen as a learned response.
Define aggression.
Any form of behaviour that goes against the rules in order to intentionally harm another person.
Explain the social learning theory.
-Aggression - learned response.
-Aggression copied from others, particularly if its reinforced
-Children copy the behaviour of adults
-Vicarious experience – performers who watch others
achieving the task will often feel they are also capable of
being successful.
-Vicarious learning of aggression occurs when the benefits
of aggression outweigh the punishment (e.g. respect,
reputation).
-Aggression learned via following process: observation-identifying-reinforcement-copy
Give an example of the social learning theory.
Experienced flanker tackles 10 late and is unseen by the ref. Child flanker copies.
Explain the frustration-aggression hypothesis.
-Performer prevented from achieving aims –
increases frustration leading to aggression.
-Built-up frustration reduced if aggressive act
initiated by performer – decreases aggressive
drive.
-BUT if unable to release aggression, form of self-
punishment will occur – lead to more frustration
& increased aggression.
What are the criticisms of the frustration-aggression hypothesis?
• Not all frustration leads to aggression. • Aggression may be a learned response. • The Cathartic effect that sport gives is not upheld. • Doesn’t consider individual or situational differences.
Give an example of the frustration-aggression hypothesis.
- rugby player passes ball and is tackled deliberately late
- the tackled player may immediately retaliate cleansing his emotions and reaching catharsis
- if not, the player will remain frustrated throughout the game & release their frustration later on
Explain the aggression cue hypothesis.
-Aggression will only occur if the right
environmental stimuli and socially learned
cues are present.
-More likely if coach or team have reinforced it
Why is the aggressive cue hypothesis superior to other theories?
- does not just rely on innate response
- linked to learning
- will only occur when the right environmental cues are present
What are the 2 methods for decreasing aggression?
- Cognitive strategies-psychological
2. Somatic strategies-physical
State some cognitive strategies to reducing aggression.
- forgetting/distancing
- counting to 10
- imagery
- mental rehearsal
- logical reasoning
- positive self talk
State some somatic strategies for reducing aggression.
- progressive relaxation techniques
- walking away
- breathing exercises
- reducing arousal
Why is aggression not desirable in sport?
- Injury
- Loss of concentration
- Increase in arousal
How can coaches prevent aggression?
- Don’t reinforce aggression
- Punish aggression (fines etc.)
- Substitute aggressive player
or remove from situation - Reinforce non-aggression,
e.g fair play award - Promote peer-group pressure
within team - Use mental rehearsal or
relaxation to lower arousal - Point out responsibilities to
team - Point out non-aggressive role
models - Set non-aggressive goals
- Channel aggression into
assertion
What strategies can be used to prevent aggression in spectators?
-Limiting of alcohol or banning it
-Reducing levels of rivalry (getting a team in the stadium before the opposite team arrives)
-Removing spectators who display
aggressive tendencies
-Increasing effectiveness of officials,
thus reducing aggressive behaviour
-Reducing crowded situations (strict
seating control)
-Not tolerating aggressive behaviour
from teams or coaches
-Media doesn’t promote aggressive
behaviour in positive way.
-Family orientated sporting events
-Increase policing and stewarding.
How do referees and officials control aggression?
-Operate within rules / sanctions -Apply the rules correctly -Punish aggressive behaviour immediately -Be consistent in judgements and sanctions awarded. -Must be firm, consistent, control from the start.
How does aggression lead to an unbalanced BAHL?
-Silva (1979) argued that hostile aggression, increases
arousal causing reduced concentration which can
result in poor performance.
-Underachievement can lead to learned helplessness
and giving up.
-Aggressive performers are likely to get injured and
run a greater risk of being dismissed from the game.
-Performers with aggressive tendencies tend to feel
anger and experience less satisfaction after
completing activities and therefore have a reduced
motive to continue.
