Individual Differences: Agression

Definitions of Aggression

Aggression: Intent to harm OUTSIDE the rules of the sport event.
The term aggression is used widely in sport but it is important to distinguish between aggression that is desirable and that which is unacceptable.
Baron (1977) defined aggression as: Aggression is any form of behaviour directed towards the goal of harming/injuring another living being who is motivated to avoid such treatment.
Most definitions agree that it is: The intent to harm which makes an action aggressive.
In sport it is often difficult to distinguish between what is aggressive behaviour and what isn't.
Aggressive behaviour that is controlled within the laws of the game is seen as ASSERTION rather than aggression.
Assertion: Forceful behaviour within the laws of the game.
A player who is aggressive may:
- underacheive
- injure themselves
- be removed from the game
VIOLENCE is an EXTREME form of aggression.
However, in some sports, aggression is part of the game and it is known as assertion. For example:
- In boxing you can punch above the waist.

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AGGRESSION:
- Prime motive is to harm
- Inflict injury
- Violate rules of game
- Reckless actions are dysfunctional in sport
- Often an aggressive player will disrupt the teams performance
- Aggression needs to be eliminated from sport

ASSERTION:
- Channelled aggression
- Assertive behaviour doesn't attempt to harm and in within the rules of the game
- Assertion involves forceful play, focussed uopn completing skills successfully
- Major aim is completion of task
- e.g. to drive forcefully through a group of players to score in basketball

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INNATE:
- Genetic causes
- We can't help our behaviour because it is natural
- e.g. we lash out at an opponent in rugby when we fell threatened
FRUSTRATION/AROUSAL:
- because of blocked goals
- because of high arousal
- because of need for catharsis
- because of umpires poor decisions
- because of losing the game
- e.g. the poor umpires decisions causes a player to hit out an opponent in rugby
COPYING OTHERS:
- copying others who are role models/significant others via SLT
- e.g. watching a premier league footballer and copying violent behaviour
GROUPS:
- wanting to be accepted by a group
- certain groups display a 'normal' behaviour of the culture
- e.g. to be accepted in your hockey team, you must show aggressive behaviour

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GAME NORMS:
- nature of the game
- expected norms within the game
- e.g. expected to be violent in ice hockey
CUES:
- triggers/cues/stimuli from the environment that cause an aggressive response
- e.g. chanting by the opponents supporters in a tennis match may cause aggressive behaviour
REVENGE:
- getting your own back
- e.g. you are elbowed in football, so next time you tackle that opponent, you want elbow him back
EVENT IMPORTANCE:
- competitiveness
- pressure to win
- rewards
- e.g. a crucial end of season hockey game may cause high emotions and therefore aggression

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PRESSURE FROM OTHERS:
- obeying orders
- meeting others expectations
- e.g. the coach of a rugby team orders his forwards to intimidate through being violent
ALCOHOL/DRUGS:
- may affect the body/brain
- inhibitions are lowered
- sense of righ/wromg is confused
- e.g an athlete might take steroids but can't help but be aggresisve towards officials
OTHER EXTERNAL INFLUENCES:
- pressure experienced from outside of the game
- life/personal problems

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1. Control arousal level of performer
- Stress management techniques e.g. relaxation
- Focussing attention on what you need to (chanelling aggression)
2. Avoid situations that initiate aggressive responses
- Change sport
- Change position
3. Remove aggressive player from situation
- Basketball sub off a player so that they can calm down
4. Reinforce non-aggressive acts
- If a player is successful by being assertive rather than aggressive, then reward them
5. Show non-aggressive role models
- Highlight successful performers who aren't aggressive
6. Punish an aggressive participant
- Fine system
- Drop player off team

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7. Increase peer pressure to be non-aggressive
- If significant others are seen as not to reinforce aggressive acts, then they won't occur
8. Give or highlight the player's position of responsibility
- Aggression could let the team down

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