Aggression

Any behaviour intended to harm another individual by physical or verbal means (Bull 1991) Characteristics Deliberate/intentional behaviour To harm another person Outside the rules of the game/situation Verbal or physical

Channelled aggression: Involves behaviour that is within the rules of the game and aims to complete the skill but has side effects of harm or physical pain (not intentionally)

Assertion in Sport Definition; Forceful legitimate behaviour Not intended to cause harm or injury Goal-directed

Aggression or assertion? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6hxxf4ztTpI

Relationship between Aggression and Assertion Grey area of ambiguity (unclear) Hard to tell what is aggression and what is assertion

Mini white board task: Write aggression on one side and assertion on the other…

Partner task: Using a physical contact sport list: Possible acts of aggression Possible causes Consequences of aggressive acts Acts of assertion

What causes aggression? Nature of the sport Rivalry High arousal levels Importance of the event Crowd Venue Frustration (personal and at others Score line Poor officiating Copying significant others Extrinsic rewards

Theories of aggression Many possible causes but theories proposed are; Instinct Theory (trait theory) Frustration-Aggression Theory Aggression Cue Hypothesis Social Learning Theory

Partner task: Research your theory of aggression and create a revision resource for the class You will then go round each pair and teach each other the theory Copies of each resource will be handed to each pupil at the end

Instinct Theory – key facts Nature approach Innate/ genetically inherited – inevitable Aggression builds up and has to be released Participation in sport allows this release to happen at an acceptable time (displacement theory) Cathartic effect

Evaluation of instinct theory: The theory is criticised because: Human aggression is often not spontaneous Aggression is often learned Levels of aggression tent to increase in sport rather than decrease No biological innate characteristics have been identified

Frustration-aggression hypothesis Interactionist approach Aggressive behaviour due to characteristics and learning from others Performers aim to achieve a goal, when this is blocked they become frustrated Frustration leads to aggression Success Catharsis Drive to Obstacle to Frustration Aggression A goal A goal Punishment

Frustration-aggression hypothesis continued…. If frustration is released by an aggressive act a cathartic effect will happen If the aggressive act is punished frustration levels are increased, and further aggressive acts may follow

Evaluation of the frustation-aggression hypothesis Not all frustration leads to aggression Not all aggression is caused by frustration It does not account for situational factors or individual differences

Cue arousal theory Frustration will cause arousal, but aggression will only occur if there are socially acceptable cues present E.g. coach encourages it or performer thinks the referee is not watching

Social learning theory Nature approach Aggressive behaviour is learned throughout observation and copying If reinforced the copied actions are repeated in similar situations – VICARIOUS EXPERIENCE Reinforced by: coaches, crowd, team mates Evaluation: does not fully explain how aggressive behaviour can occur without observing others if placed in a particular situation

Strategies to develop assertive behaviour (control aggression) Punish aggressive acts/fine player/drop for next match Develop player’s code of conduct/promote fair play Remove from situation/change position/substitution/change tactics Encourage peer support/group pressure Give role of responsibility/set performance goals/process goals Highlight non-aggressive/positive role models Reduce importance of event/avoid ‘win at all cost’ attitude Stress management techniques/accept named examples Rewards/positive reinforcement for assertive play Develop fitness levels