Paper 2: Aggression Flashcards
Aggression definition
Aggression can be defined as behaviour which has the goal of harming others by breaking the rules of the game.
Assertion definition
Assertions is forceful behaviour in order to achieve a goal, doesn’t include injuring another individual.
What 4 theories of aggression is there?
- Instinct (Lorenz, 1966)
- Aggressive cue hypothesis
(Berkowitz, 1969) - Social Learning (Bandura, 1977)
- Frustration-aggression hypothesis
(Dollard et al., 1939)
What was Lorenz’s aggression theory?
Instinct Theory, Lorenz, proposes that each individual has the innate characteristic of aggression within them. Sports allowing aggression to be released.
- Evolution of instinct aggressive behaviour enabled survival through fighting and gaining territory
- Necessary release of aggression that is continuously developing, acting aggressively is unavoidable.
- Aggressive sports allow athletes to let off steam.
What critique is there to Lorenz’s Instinct Aggression Theory?
- Sports leads to aggression, rather than calming effect
- Many examples of pre-planned aggressive behaviour, not always spontaneous.
What does aggressive cue hypothesis theory suggest? (Berkowitz, 1969)
- Result of frustration is increased arousal, the arousal resulting in a readiness for aggressive behaviour.
- Increased arousal + Aggressive cues = Response of aggressive nature.
What are the critiques of Berkowitz’s theory?
- Individuals may just be acting aggressively because the situation they are in involves an opposing player who is perceived as a genuine target for aggression.
What did Bandura’s aggression theory suggest?
- Aggression is a learned behaviour
- Individuals learn aggressive behaviour through observing others who display who display such behaviour
- Observers identify more closely with significant others.
What critique is there to Bandura’s aggression theory?
- Ignores individuals biological state.
- Would the aggressive state observed in the studies have a long-term effect?
What does Dollard et al. Aggression Theory suggest?
- Aggression is solely the direct result of feeling frustrated
- Feeling of frustration results in aggressive behaviour
- Primary source of frustration is the obstruction of goal achievement.
What critique is there against Dollard et al. Aggression theory?
- Doesn’t consider other emotions associated with frustration, such as dejection.
- Aggressive behaviours can take place without frustration.
Strategies to control aggression?
- Fining regular displays of aggressive actions.
- Educating players about how to act assertively rather than aggressively.
- Lowering the arousal levels of the player.
- Removing a player from a situation potentially involving an aggressive cue
- Rewarding non-aggressive actions.
What are the pros and cons of fining regular displays of aggressive action?
- Highly paid sports stars may not be that dissuaded by fines as they earn so much.
What are the pros and cons of educating players about how to act assertively rather than aggressively?
- Help players learn about the benefit impact of assertive behaviour, as well has how aggressive behaviour could harm their teams chances of winning.
What are the pros and cons of lowering arousal levels to control aggression?
- Harder to implement with players that are more easily aroused than others.
