Aggression & assertion

Question 1

Define assertion.

Answer 1

Well motivated and controlled behaviour that uses necessary physical or verbal force in order to achieve the goal within the rules of the game.

Question 2

List factors of aggression:

Answer 2

• intent to harm
• intentional
• outside of rules
• out of control
• can disrupt team performance and cohesion

Question 3

Give factors of assertive behaviour.

Answer 3

• acceptable
• legitimate verbal or physical force
• goal directed
• within the rules of the sport
• controlled and well motivated
• NO intention to harm

Question 4

Give a typical example of assertion.

Answer 4

A hard fair tackle in rugby.

Question 5

Give an example of aggression.

Answer 5

A rugby player punching another in the face.

Question 6

In trying to head a football, a player clashes heads with another player, causing serious injury to his opponent. Aggression or assertion?

Answer 6

Assertion.

Question 7

A boxer traps his opponent against the ropes and leads with his head into the chin of his opponent. Aggression or assertion?

Answer 7

Aggression.

Question 8

List some causes of aggression?

Answer 8

• playing badly
• losing
• over-arousal
• belief it’s ok
• media & coach pressure
• crowd & venue

Question 9

What are the 4 theories of aggression?

Answer 9

1. Instinct
2. Social learning
3. Frustration aggression hypothesis
4. Aggression cue hypothesis

Question 10

Who was the instinct theory created by?

Answer 10

Freud.

Question 11

Who was the social learning theory created by?

Answer 11

Bandura.

Question 12

Who was the frustration aggression hypothesis created by?

Answer 12

Dollard

Question 13

Who was the aggression cue hypothesis created by?

Answer 13

Berkowitz

Question 14

Explain the instinct theory.

Answer 14

• 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).

Question 15

Give an example of the instinct theory.

Answer 15

An American football player tackles another player high on purpose. Once aggressive, always aggressive.

Question 16

What is catharsis?

Answer 16

The letting off of steam/cleansing of emotions. Explains why older men play rugby for a bad team on the weekend.

Question 17

What are the criticisms of the instinct theory?

Answer 17

• 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.

Question 18

Define aggression.

Answer 18

Any form of behaviour that goes against the rules in order to intentionally harm another person.

Question 19

Explain the social learning theory.

Answer 19

-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

Question 20

Give an example of the social learning theory.

Answer 20

Experienced flanker tackles 10 late and is unseen by the ref. Child flanker copies.

Question 21

Explain the frustration-aggression hypothesis.

Answer 21

-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.

Question 22

What are the criticisms of the frustration-aggression hypothesis?

Answer 22

• 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.

Question 23

Give an example of the frustration-aggression hypothesis.

Answer 23

• 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

Question 24

Explain the aggression cue hypothesis.

Answer 24

-Aggression will only occur if the right
environmental stimuli and socially learned
cues are present.
-More likely if coach or team have reinforced it

Question 25

Why is the aggressive cue hypothesis superior to other theories?

Answer 25

• does not just rely on innate response
• linked to learning
• will only occur when the right environmental cues are present

Question 26

What are the 2 methods for decreasing aggression?

Answer 26

1. Cognitive strategies-psychological

2. Somatic strategies-physical

Question 27

State some cognitive strategies to reducing aggression.

Answer 27

• forgetting/distancing
• counting to 10
• imagery
• mental rehearsal
• logical reasoning
• positive self talk

Question 28

State some somatic strategies for reducing aggression.

Answer 28

• progressive relaxation techniques
• walking away
• breathing exercises
• reducing arousal

Question 29

Why is aggression not desirable in sport?

Answer 29

1. Injury
2. Loss of concentration
3. Increase in arousal

Question 30

How can coaches prevent aggression?

Answer 30

1. Don’t reinforce aggression
2. Punish aggression (fines etc.)
3. Substitute aggressive player
   or remove from situation
4. Reinforce non-aggression,
   e.g fair play award
5. Promote peer-group pressure
   within team
6. Use mental rehearsal or
   relaxation to lower arousal
7. Point out responsibilities to
   team
8. Point out non-aggressive role
   models
9. Set non-aggressive goals
10. Channel aggression into
    assertion

Question 31

What strategies can be used to prevent aggression in spectators?

Answer 31

-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.

Question 32

How do referees and officials control aggression?

Answer 32

-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.

Question 33

How does aggression lead to an unbalanced BAHL?

Answer 33

-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.