Sports Psychology - Aggression

Question 1

What is aggression?

Answer 1

Intend to harm outside of the rules of the sporting event.

Question 2

What is assertion?

Answer 2

Forceful behaviour within the laws of the event.

Question 3

What is the instinct theory of aggression?

Answer 3

• aggression is an instinctive response and important for evolutionary development of the species.
• aggressive impulses will buildup and if not released through aggressive acts it would become dangerous to their well-being.
• Aggression appears in all culture suggesting its instinctive rather than learned

Question 4

What are the arguments against the instinct theory?

Answer 4

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Question 5

What are 4 arguments against the instinct theory of aggression?

Answer 5

• there was a little scientific proof that aggression is purely instinctive.
• It overlook social and cultural influences on behaviour.
• Releasing aggression in sport can increase not reduce aggression.
• Does explain why some people are aggressive and others aren’t.

Question 6

What is the frustration aggression hypothesis?

Answer 6

• Frustration will always lead to aggression as any blocking of goals we are trying to reach in increases our drive to succeed.
• Aggression initiated will reduce the frustration = catharsis

Question 7

What are three positives of the frustration, aggression hypothesis?

Answer 7

• there is a clear cause and effect link it directly connect frustration to aggressive behaviour.
• Studies have shown people often act aggressively when goals are blocked.
• Helps understand outbursts in competitive sport when players feel unfairly treated.

Question 8

What are three negatives of the frustration aggression hypothesis?

Answer 8

• frustration doesn’t always lead to aggression some people stay calm.
• Aggression can happen without frustration due to learn behaviour or peer pressure.
• It oversimplifies complex emotions and reactions in sports situations.

Question 9

What is the aggressive cue hypothesis?

Answer 9

• when an individual is frustrated, there is an increase in their arousal which creates a predisposition for aggression.
• If aggression is going to occur certain stimuli must be present that act as cues for the athlete who then associates the cues with having to be aggressive.

Question 10

What are three positives of the aggressive cue hypothesis?

Answer 10

• shows how certain cues can spark aggression
• Useful for managing environments in sport to reduce aggression
• Studies explain how people are more aggressive when exposed to aggressive cues.

Question 11

What are three negatives of the aggression cue hypothesis?

Answer 11

• people don’t always respond aggressively to cues
• doesn’t explain why some people are more affected by cues than other others.
• it ignores how the meaning of the queue or the situation can change a persons response.

Question 12

What is the social learning theory of aggression?

Answer 12

• aggression is a learned response rather than instinctive
• We learn by observing and copying the behaviour of others or by direct reinforcement of our own behaviour
• In sport individuals will learn to be aggressive if they see significant others being aggressive

Question 13

How can aggressive tendencies be eliminated in sport?

Answer 13

1. Control arousal level of participant via stress management techniques.
2. Avoid situations that initiate an aggressive response.
3. Remove the aggressive player.
4. Reinforce non-aggressive acts.
5. Show non-aggressive role models and highlights successful non-aggressive sports people.
6. Punish and aggressive participant.
7. More peer pressure to be non-aggressive.
8. Give position of responsibility as aggression would let the rest of the team down.