Aggression

Question 1

Define aggression

Answer 1

Intent to harm outside the rules; hostile behaviour

Question 2

Define assertion

Answer 2

Well-motivated behaviour within the rules

Question 3

What are the characteristics of aggression?

Answer 3

• Intent to harm
• Outside of rules
• Reactive
• Out of control
• Deliberate and hostile

Question 4

What is an example of aggression?

Answer 4

Punching someone after a foul in rugby

Question 5

What are the characteristics of assertion?

Answer 5

• Controlled
• Well motivated
• Generally within the rules
• Goal-directed
• Not intended to harm

Question 6

What is an example of assertion?

Answer 6

A hard fair tackle in rugby

Question 7

When can the middle ground of aggression and assertion occur?

Answer 7

When there is an aim or intent, but the action is within the rules

Question 8

What is an example of the grey area od aggression and assertion?

Answer 8

When making a tackle in rugby, the defender may contact the ribs of the attacker. This is within the rules but there is also some intent to cause some pain, so the attacker drops the ball

Question 9

Define catharsis

Answer 9

Cleansing the emotions; using sport as an outlet for aggression

Question 10

What could happen if catharsis does not occur?

Answer 10

More aggression may occur

Question 11

What are the causes of aggression?

Answer 11

• Playing badly
• Feeling like teammates aren’t trying
• Disagreement with officials’ decisions
• Provocation by opponent/crowd
• Important game
• Contact sports
• Naturally aggressive personality
• Social learning
• Over-arousal

Question 12

What are strategies coaches could use to control aggression?

Answer 12

• Punish aggressive acts
• Remove the player from the situation
• Encourage peer support
• Set goals
• Highlight non-aggressive/positive role models
• Positive reinforcement for assertive play
• Develop fitness levels
• Give player responsibility

Question 13

What are some cognitive strategies a player could use to control aggression?

Answer 13

• Mental rehearsal
• Imagery
• Visualisation
• Selective attention
• Positive self talk

Question 14

What are some somatic strategies a player could use to control aggression?

Answer 14

• Walk away from the situation
• Channel aggression
• Use stress management techniques
• Biofeedback
• Set non-aggressive goals

Question 15

What are some strategies officials could use to control aggression?

Answer 15

• Punish players by sending them off
• Apply rules consistently
• Talk to players to calm them down
• Give immediate sanctions

Question 16

Define instrumental aggression

Answer 16

Has an intent but is within the rules

Question 17

What is the instinct theory?

Answer 17

States that we have a natural trait or predisposition to be aggressive. We genetically have a biological drive to defend ourselves

Question 18

What are the 3 things the instinct theory suggests?

Answer 18

• If we are provoked, we will act aggressively
• Aggressive ‘animal instincts’ surface when faced with a threat - fight for survival
• Once aggression is released, catharsis is experienced

Question 19

Is the instinct theory nature or nurture?

Answer 19

Nature

Question 20

What are the limitations of the instinct theory?

Answer 20

• Not all aggression is reactive and spontaneous - some is learnt or pre-intended
• Some performers may not experience catharsis, therefore aggression levels can continue to increase during performance
• This theory states we are all genetically determined to behave aggressively - some people never act aggressively
• Aggression is normally provoked or copied
• Aggression can be unlearnt

Question 21

What is the frustration-aggression hypothesis?

Answer 21

Suggests that aggression is inevitable when goals are blocked, and the performer becomes frustrated

Question 22

What does the frustration-aggression hypothesis propose?

Answer 22

• Frustration leads to aggression
• A successful release of aggression can lower the level of frustration
• If aggression is not released then a form of punishment occurs which increases frustration, leading to further aggression (catastrophe arousal theory)

Question 23

What is a sporting example of the frustration-aggression hypothesis?

Answer 23

A basketball player is dribbling and running towards the basket. They are fouled and therefore their goal has been blocked. They feel frustrated, which leads to them pushing their opponent.

Question 24

Is the frustration-aggression hypothesis nature or nurture?

Answer 24

Nature

Question 25

What are the limitations of the frustration-aggression hypothesis?

Answer 25

- Not all frustration leads to aggression; some players can control themselves - Not all aggression is the result of frustration - No allowance for situation/environment

Question 26

What is the updated version of the frustration-aggression hypothesis?

Answer 26

Berkowitz updates the frustration-aggression hypothesis to the aggressive cue hypothesis

Question 27

What is the aggressive cue hypothesis?

Answer 27

Suggests that aggression is caused by a learning trigger. When a performer has their goal blocked, their arousal levels increase, and they experience frustration. This leads to them being ready for an aggressive act, rather than inevitable aggression.

Question 28

What does the aggressive cue hypothesis propose?

Answer 28

- Increased frustration will lead to increased arousal levels and a drive towards aggressive responses. However, aggressive responses will only occur if certain learned ‘cues’ are present - A learned trigger or cue acts as a stimulus to act aggressively - The cue may come from fellow performers, a coach, perceived unfairness, witnessing violence T- he cue may be another performer or certain equipment, e.g. boxing gloves or enticement by the crowd - This theory explains that not all frustration leads to aggression! The aggressive cue must be present

Question 29

What is a sporting example of the aggressive cue hypothesis?

Answer 29

A football player who has been praised by their coach for aggressive, dangerous tackles may learn that this is a positive behaviour, and the coach will act as a cue in future performances

Question 30

Is the aggressive cue hypothesis nature or nurture?

Answer 30

Nurture

Question 31

What are the limitations of the aggressive cue hypothesis?

Answer 31

- Not all aggression is learned - Not all aggression needs a cue - A lot of sporting performers use equipment, this does not lead to all of them acting aggressively

Question 32

What does the social learning theory state about aggression?

Answer 32

- Aggressive acts are observed and copied from significant others behaviours (learnt through modelling) - You are more likely to copy an aggressive act if the act is reinforced or taught by others - Aggressive behaviour is more likely to be copied if it is consistent

Question 33

What is a sporting example of aggression with social learning theory?

Answer 33

A young rugby player watches his idol high tackle an opponent. The crowd cheers and the opponent is prevented from scoring a try. The young player will copy this aggressive act

Question 34

Is the social learning theory nature of nurture?

Answer 34

Nurture

Question 35

What are the limitation of the social learning theory regarding aggression?

Answer 35

- Aggression can be instinctive and reactive rather than being learned (ignores traits) - Same situation = different responses - It doesn’t state specifically which “cues” lead to aggression