1. Aggression and Violence in Sport

2. Violence in sports parallels the reality of violence in a society as a whole
We see examples of societal violence every time we watch the evening news

3. Definitions Violence = extreme aggression
There are three distinct components of aggressive behaviour:
Hostile Aggression
Instrumental Aggression
Assertive Behaviour

4. Instrumental Aggression
Hostile Aggression
Instrumental Aggression
The intent is to cause harm
The goal is to cause suffering
The goal is to achieve some external award
Anger is usually involved
No anger is involved
Performed outside the rules of the game
Performed within the rules of the game

5. Instrumental Aggression
Hostile Aggression
Instrumental Aggression
The intent is to cause harm
The goal is to cause suffering
The goal is to achieve some external award
Anger is usually involved
No anger is involved
Performed outside the rules of the game
Performed within the rules of the game
e.g. fist-fighting in hockey
e.g. aggressive checking meant to hurt the opponent

6. Assertive Behaviour Often confused with aggression
Increased effort and energy expenditure
No intent to harm
No anger involved
May result in harm, but any resultant harm is incidental to the game
E.g. Assertive checking meant to slow down the opponent

7. Physical Contact
Sports with a lot of physical contact result in more aggression
If player believes that the opponent is trying to hurt him/her there is an increased likelihood that aggression will occur
Recommendations:
Encouraging athletes to increase effort vs. aggressive acts
Victory (vs. harm) = the ultimate way to get back at an opponent
Others?

8. Issues in Crowd Behaviour
What is the difference between ‘violence’ and‘disorder’
How are these terms defined by various interest groups - Fans? Police? Media? Policymakers?
What are the influencing factors?
The sport and its history and culture
National context
Emotion and Identity

9. Fan violence – no cathartic effects found
Spectator Aggression
Fan violence – no cathartic effects found
- various triggers (or combinations of them) associated with fan violence:
- watching player be aggressive
- younger males
- crowded conditions
- influence of alcohol
- rivalries
V 2

10. Control of Aggression
Aggression occurs when:
- losing
- perceive unfair officiating
- embarrassed
- injured or in pain
- playing below capacity

11. Control of Aggressive Behavior
Close observation of participants (by those in charge)
Proactive measures