Aggression in sport Flashcards
What is aggression ?
- the intent to cause harm
- breaking the rules
- an out of control reaction
- e.g. punching someone after a foul in football
What is assertion ?
- controlled reaction
- generally within the rules
- no intended harm
- e.g. a 50/50 challenge
What is a difficulty with the definitions of aggression and assertion ?
- difficulty placing examples in either category
- e.g. Boxing - A punch is within the rules of boxing but it is meant to cause harm
- This is a grey area where their is an aim but the action is within the rules
What is the first theory of aggression ?
Instinct theory:
- evolutionary theory
- claims that all performers are born with an aggressive instinct that happens if provoked
- This can surface after a bad foul when the threat of injury is prevented you may react by defending yourself
- Once the action has happened, Catharsis happens
- This is where a more controlled approach happens
What is a limitation of the instinct theory ?
- not all aggression is reactive
- some aggression is learned
- also not all of our ancestors were aggressive
What is the frustration-aggression hypothesis ?
- Suggests that aggression is inevitable when goals are blocked
- Once this goal is blocked frustrated tendencies occur
- The built-up frustration can be reduced by catharsis
- However if this aggressive drive can’t be reduced then a form of self-punishment occurs which increases aggressive drive
What is a sporting example of the frustration-aggression hypothesis ?
- A football player is fouled when running towards the goal
- the player retaliates with a shove to the opposition
- This helps release aggression and calm the player down
- if the footballer is unable to retaliate (pulled away by his teammates) then he may remain aggressive until he can foul the player back
What is catharsis ?
- ‘letting off steam’
- sport can be a release to channel aggression
- If the aggressive intent is given an outlet then the aggression drive is reduced
What is the aggressive cue hypothesis ?
- Berkowitz
- suggests that increased frustration leads to increased arousal levels
- An aggressive response will occur if learnt ‘cues’ are present to act as an a stimulus for the performer to be aggressive
- This theory suggests that aggression can be learnt from signifiant others such as coaches and teammates
- Other cues such as an away pitch, sporting equipment being thrown
What is a sporting example of the aggression-cue hypothesis ?
- a cue could come from a coach who has allowed/encouraged a basketball player to push away from an opponent who is marking him too closely
What is the social learning theory (aggression)
- aggression is seen as a learnt response
- This can be learnt from others if the behaviour is reinforced
- This is often learnt from important people such as role models, team mates and coaches
- Aggressive behaviour is more likely to be copied if it is consistent, powerful and bright
What is an example of social learning theory with aggression ?
- You see an experienced player foul an opponent of the ball as they are about to get a pass
-The foul isn’t seen and unsettles the opponent which means the goal isn’t scored - You copy this act next time
What is a criticism of social learning theory (aggression) ?
- aggression can be instinctive rather than being learnt
- Some players react aggressively without being in a situation where they could copy and observe others
Why is aggression not desriable ?
- causes injury
- loss of concentration
- increase in arousal and anxiety
How can coaches prevent aggression ?
- don’t reinforce aggression in training
- remove an aggressive player from the situation
- point out responsibilities
