Agression Flashcards
Define aggression
The intent to harm outside the rules; hostile behaviour
Examples of aggression
- uncontrolled
- intent to harm
- outside rules
- reactive
Define assertion
Well-motivated behaviour within the rules
Examples of assertion
- controlled
- no intent to harm
- within the rules
- motivated
Theories of aggression
- frustration- aggression hypothesis
- aggressive cue hypothesis
- social learning theory
- instinct theory
Instinct theory
Define catharsis:
- the aggressive response is innate
- it is a product of our evolution and will surface under provocation. Defending territory such as a home pitch in football
- players use sport as an outlet for built-up aggressive energy. Catharsis.
Evolution of the instinct theory
- aggression may not be spontaneous
- aggression is pre-planned/learned
- evaluation, not all aggressive
- performers in aggressive sports calmer away from the game. Through catharsis
The frustration aggression hypothesis
The fa hypothesis:
- aggression is inevitable when frustrating circumstances cause our goals to be blocked e.g a refs decision
- if aggression can be released: catharsis may occur
- aggression cannot be released: more frustration can occur
•drive -> obstacle-> frustration -> inevitable aggression= success ->catharsi or punishment -> more
The aggression cue hypothesis defined
-suggests that aggression is caused by a learned trigger
The aggression cue hypothesis
- aggression only occurs if learned ‘cues’ are present
- such pre learned cues, learned from the coach or other players, trigger the aggressive response. For example, a coach may have allowed a footballer to elbow the defender as his team works for positions in the penalty area as a corner is taken. The taking of a corner is a learned cue for an aggressive response
- goals blocked -> arousal -> cues present -> aggression likely
- goals blocked -> arousal -> no cues present -> aggression unlikely
Social learning theory
- aggression is learned from experience, coaches, role models and significant others.
- aggressive behaviour will be copied if it is reinforced, eg. A basketballs sees her team captain foul an opponent she is marking closely and the opposing player is put off her game
- bandits suggested that children will copy the aggressive behaviour of adults, especially in a live situation
•observe -> identify -> reinforced -> copy
The summarised diagram
Aggression the intent to harm others
Caused by:
Instinct theory ~ aggression is innate
Frustration aggression hypothesis ~ aggression when goals blocked
Learned cues ~ aggression is triggered
Social learning ~ aggression is copied
Strategies to parent aggression
- don’t reinforce aggressive acts in training
- punishing players with fines, sub them
- sending played off
- calming players down
- teach relation, stress management
- set goals on performance not outcome
- reinforce assertion in training
- reinforcing the rules consistently and fairly (fair play awards)
- pointing out responsibilities to the team
- walking away from the situation
- applying sanctions immediately
- non aggressive goals
- highlight non aggressive role models
- channel aggression into assertion
- set goals on performance not outcome
Exam style question:
Explain how aggression might be caused in a team game using instinct theory. Is this theory always a reliable way of explain aggression in sport?
- the theory suggests that aggression can occur since performers are born with an aggressive nature
- not all aggression is spontaneous
- aggression can be learned
- sports performers are not aggressive all the time
Summary:
Aggression can be explained by four theories which suggest that aggression is a result of:
- venue - home or away?
- coaches reinforcing aggression
- frustration from the refereeing decision or loosing
- rivalry, derby game, or increased competition
- copying others such as aggressive role models
- learned cues
