Aggression in sport Flashcards
What is aggression?
Any form of behaviour directed toward the goal of harming or injuring another living being who is motivated to avoid such action; not limited to physical assaults - may be verbal or nonverbal acts, and those which deprives a person of something
What are the two types of aggression?
Instrumental and hostile
What is instrumental aggression?
Aggressive behaviour committed to achieve a non-aggressive goal; injury is not primary objective; e.g. boxing
What is hostile aggression?
Aggressive behaviour that usual involves anger and has primary goal to harm or injure; goes against other goals of sport such as scoring points
What are the three theories of aggression?
Instinct theory, frustration-aggression hypothesis, social learning theory
What is instinct theory?
Aggression is an innate characteristic that builds up and makes aggressive behaviour inevitable, with sport providing a cathartic effect
Is instinct theory typically used as a valid theory?
No, as there is generally very little support; athletes who are most aggressive on field should be calmest off field - not necessarily true
What is frustration-aggression hypothesis?
Aggression is a direct results of frustration that occurs because of a goal blockage or failure. Has very little empirical support
What is social learning theory?
We learn more and acquire aggressive behaviour through observational learning and direct reinforcement
What is an example of social learning theory within sport?
An aggressive tackle in sport being praised by teammates and coaches, thus being reinforced
What research supports the social learning theory?
Children watched a video where a model hit a doll. 88% replicated this behaviour. If the model was rewarded, aggressive behaviour increased; if model was punished, aggressive behaviour decreased; if child who saw model be punished then received reward for aggressive behaviour, exhibited same behaviour as those who saw model be punished
What can be concluded from the Bobo doll experiment for social learning theory?
Individuals learn aggression through modelling and reinforcement, but will only commit aggression under facilitating conditions
