Aggression
• Aggression- any behavior directed toward intentionally harming or injuring another living being• Physical or verbal• Can cause mental or physical harm
• 4 criteria• 1-behavior• 2-directed towards a living organism• 3-Involves harm or injury(intent to inflict harm)• 4-Involves intent (did it on purpose)
• “Good” aggression=assertiveness
Hostile vs Instrumental
• Hostile Aggression- primary goal is to inflict injury or psychological harm to someone else
• Instrumental Aggression- occurs only b/c you want to conquer a non-aggressive goal
• Both involve the intent to injure and harm
AGGRESSION
• Get a partner, pick a sport and come up with an example for hostile, instrumental, assertive and non-aggressive behavior
What causes aggression
• 4 Theories:• 1-Instinct Theory• People have an innate instinct to be aggressive that builds up until it’s
expressed• Catharsis-aggression is released or blow off through socially
acceptable means• Corey had a bad day at school so he takes it out in hitting practice at
football
• 2-Frustration-Aggression Theory• Aggression is the direct result of a frustration that occurs b/c of failure• Frustrated b/c you are losing a game, so you become over aggressive
in a game
What causes aggression
• 3-Social –Learning Theory• Says that aggression is learned through observing others who
model particular behaviors followed by receiving reinforcement for exhibiting similar actions
• Ex-Everyone cheers at a fight at NHL, so Billy decides to start a fight in pee wee hockey
• Revised Frustration-Aggression Theory• Frustration does not always lead to aggression but it increases
the likelihood of aggression by increasing anger
Spectators/athletes
• Observing a sport does not lower the level of the spectators aggression
• Watching violent contact sports increases a spectator’s readiness to be aggressive
• Rivalries are associated with fan violence• Fans Fight
• Athletes view aggressive acts as appropriate in the sport environment
What We Should Know
• Understand when aggression is likely to occur:• Frustration, losing, perceived unfair officiating,
embarrassed, physically in pain, playing below their capabilities
• Modify aggressive reactions• Teach athletes to control emotions, remove from situation
• Teach appropriate behavior: what is right? What is wrong?
• Sports Violence - Sports Law
Controlling Spectators
• Develop alcohol policies• Penalize spectators • Strict officiating-officials must call ALL behavior issues• Coach involvement • Deter media displays of aggression• USA Today