Aggression

Question 1

Aggression definition

Answer 1

The intent to physically, verbally or psychologically harm someone who is motivated to avoid such treatment and or physical destruction of property when motivated by anger.

Question 2

Types of aggression (2 types) (2, 4 things)

Answer 2

Hostile

• Referred to as reactive aggression and angry aggression.
• Hostile aggression has the primary goal of hurting someone, making them suffer pain, caused by anger.

Channelled

• Intention to cause harm in order to receive some type of reward
• Way to ensure that they meet their goals
• For winning or prestige
• Belief is that this is more legitimate in sport

Question 3

Assertive behaviour (3 things)

Answer 3

• This is closely linked to aggressive behaviour
• However, it is believed that this exists within the boundaries of the game, i.e. the legitimate use of physical or verbal force to attain the goals set.
• The area of ambiguity is the grey area between and assertion and aggression

Question 4

Causes of aggression (8 things)

Answer 4

• innate
• frustration
• copying others
• cues
• retaliation
• event importance
• pressure/external influences
• alcohol/drugs

Question 5

Instinct Theory - Freud (2 things)

Answer 5

• Stated that aggressive impulses would build up and if not released they would be dangerous to an individuals well-being
• You would gain a sense of catharsis from this – which is cleansing of the soul

Question 6

Instinct theory - Lorenz (2)

Answer 6

• Also agreed that the natural build up of aggression needed to be released and sporting situations were more acceptable
• You would gain a sense of catharsis from this – which is cleansing of the soul

Question 7

Evaluation of instinct theory (4)

Answer 7

• Human aggression is often not spontaneous
• Human aggression is often learned, and many cultural differences back this up
• Modern psychologists feel that this simplified view is too generalised
• Reasoning is involved in aggression, therefore learned so cannot be instinctive

Question 8

Frustration - Aggression Hypothesis (4)

Answer 8

• The theorists proposed that the inability to attain a goal leads to frustration.
• As the frustration increases it triggers the aggressive drive which in turn will lead to aggression.
• If the sports performer carries out an aggressive act it will lead to a reduction in the levels of frustration and catharsis will be achieved.
• However, the releasing of aggression can lead to negative responses within a sports setting, for example punishments.

Question 9

Frustration - Aggression Hypothesis Evaluation (3)

Answer 9

• Frustration does not always lead to aggression
• Aggression often occurs with no evidence of frustration
• Frustration can potentially make someone aggressive but it is not sufficient to cause it as it needs to be a learned response

Question 10

Social Learning Theory (3)

Answer 10

• Bandura (1973) suggested that aggression was a learned response.
• Bandura’s research showed that a performer can learn to be aggressive if such actions are positively reinforced, or through observation of aggressive behaviour.
• If a young performer sees a high profile player ‘getting away with it’ and achieving success then a young player is going to be more likely to imitate those actions.

Question 11

Aggressive Cue Hypothesis (4)

Answer 11

• Based on the Frustration-Aggression hypothesis and that of arousal levels.
• He suggested that as a sports performer became frustrated at events within the competitive situation his/her arousal levels would increase.
• The combination of which would lead to a readiness to be aggressive within that situation.
• Frustration alone is not sufficient to produce aggressive acts; it needs to be in combination with cues that are available within the environment.

Question 12

Aggressive cue hypothesis graph (2)

Answer 12

• Frustration leads to Increased arousal (anger), if aggressive cues are present there is a greater likelihood of aggression
• if no aggressive cue are not present there is a lower likelihood of aggression

Question 13

Methods to control aggression (6)

Answer 13

• Educate –make consequences clear e.g. what will happen if they hit someone
• Removal – remove from the situation e.g. substitute them off
• Reinforce non-aggression – praise appropriate behaviour e.g. positive reinforcement when they walk away
• Goals – use target setting e.g. give them a target of not getting a yellow card in next match
• Role models – use positive role model to show assertion e.g. captain who never shows aggression
• Self-talk – use positive self talk to raise self esteem e.g. tell yourself to stay calm