Aggression

Question 1

aggression

Answer 1

any action in sport showing the intention to harm

Question 2

Instinct theory

Answer 2

• aggression can be a natural human instinct (innate or genetic)
• aggressive impulses build up within an individual
• aggressive behaviour can be predictable in some people

Question 3

Instinct theory - Freud

Answer 3

• if not released through aggressive acts can build up
• becomes dangerous to an individuals well-being
• death instinct

Question 4

Instinct theory - Lorenz

Answer 4

• Build up of aggression released through anti-social behaviour or more acceptable behaviour
• achieves catharsis

Question 5

Instinct theory - example

Answer 5

• footballer always acts aggressively towards the opposition in every game

Question 6

Negatives of instinct theory

Answer 6

• not all humans show aggressive behaviour
• too simplistic
• aggression is not often spontaneous
• aggression is often learnt
• aggression is shown by people at different times

Question 7

Social learning theory

Answer 7

• aggression is learnt by watching and copying others
• aggression can be learnt from role models
• aggression can be learnt when aggressive behaviour is positively reinforced
• aggression can be influenced by the environment
• aggression is more likely to be copied if role model is seen getting reinforced for aggressive behaviour
• an aggressive upbringing can increase likleihood of being aggressive

Question 8

Social learning theory - example

Answer 8

• volleyball player watches captain verbally abuse the umpire
• her captain is praised by the coach for this
• she copies this behaviour next time there is a perceived bias decision against them

Question 9

Negatives - social learning theory

Answer 9

• people can be aggressive without having ever seen aggression
• doesn’t explain aggression in young children
• doesn’t consider someone who is always aggressive
• people with similar role models aren’t always aggressive
• some people see aggression but won’t copy
• some people need frustration to be aggressive

Question 10

Frustration aggression hypothesis

Answer 10

• interactionist view says frustration generated by environment triggers aggressive gene
• frustration always lead to aggression
• if individual successfully releases aggression it leads to catharsis
• if they do not release aggression it leads to more frustration

Question 11

Frustration aggression hypothesis - example

Answer 11

• goalkeeper may continuously save strikers attempt to score a goal
• striker increases in arousal
• striker hits out on GK
• if striker gets away with it, catharsis occurs
• if striker is sent off it leads to more frustration

Question 12

Positives - frustration aggression

Answer 12

• more realistic than instinct theory
• frustration can lead to aggression
• you do get a sense of catharsis once frustration is released as aggression
• acknowledge a link between frustration and aggression
• could be useful to help coaches manage aggression in certain players

Question 13

negatives - frustration aggression hypothesis

Answer 13

• frustration does not always lead to aggression
• aggression can occur without any frustration being present
• unpunished aggression does not always lead to catharsis
• doesn’t take into account those born with aggressive traits
• not everyone becomes frustrated when goal directed behaviour is blocked

Question 14

aggressive cue hypothesis

Answer 14

• frustration increases arousal levels which create a ‘readiness for aggression’
• triggered by a provocative environmental cue

Question 15

aggressive cue hypothesis - qualities

Answer 15

• cues trigger aggression if arousal amongst competitors is high
• this is because we have learned to behave in an aggressive way towards these cues
• it is a conditioned response learned through operant conditioning
• if the aggressive cue isn’t present then acts of aggression are less likely

Question 16

aggressive cue hypothesis in context

Answer 16

• a tennis player is experiencing high levels of arousal because of poor performance (frustration)
• the umpire makes a perceived unfair call (environmental cue)
• the tennis player may become aggressive (racket abuse / verbally abusing umpire)

Question 17

types of aggressive cues

Answer 17

• weapons or object = ice hockey stick
• nature of game = boxing
• places = boxing ring
• people = being provoked by someone verbally abusing you in rugby
• nature of event = derby match
• perceived unfairness = incorrect referee decision
• witnessing violence = seeing teammate punched

Question 18

negatives - aggressive cue hypothesis

Answer 18

• same cue can elicit different responses at different times for the same person
• we have the perceptual ability to be able to recognise inappropriate aggression and avoid it