Aggression in Sport

What is agression?

Any form of behavior directed toward the goal of harming or injuring another living being who is motivated to avoid such treatment

What are the 4 criteria of aggression?

• it is a behavior (not a thought, attitude, or emotion; though can be verbal)

• It involves intent (which means accidental harm doesn’t count)

• It involves harm or injury

• It is directed toward a living organism motivated to avoid that harm (including animals; though throwing a helmet at the ground wouldn’t count either)

Can aggression be positive?

• assertive behavior as opposed to aggression

• allows definition of aggression remain without including behaviors within rules, occur with high intensity and emotion, though without intent to harm

What is hostile aggression?

• goal to inflict injury or psychological harm on someone else

What is instrumental aggression?

• aggressive act where the goal is a nonaggressive one

  • Like in a sport like boxing, to win a match, you have to engage in aggressive acts, though the goal is winning, not necessarily causing harm to the opponent

Is aggression in these black and white categories?

no, its more a continuum with those types as anchors

What is game reasoning (bracketed morality)?

perception that aggressive acts that would be inappropriate in general life or other settings are appropriate in the sport environment

What is the general aggression model?

What are some factors that would increase aggression in a sport context?

• Verbal aggression & abusive behaviors from coaches & other leaders

• Ambient temperature: higher temperatures = more aggression

• Team atmosphere: teammates more aggressive, more game reasoning, etc

• Opponents: aggressive, frustrating/annoying

• Role: belief that being aggressive is part of their role on the team (i.e. an enforcer)

• Males higher frequencies of aggression compared to females

How can aggression be minimized in sport & PA?

• Understand when aggression is most likely to occur & target interventions to help control aggressive behavior in these situations

• Modify aggressive reactions = teach athletes skills for controlling emotions and reactions

• Teach appropriate behavior (and explain why particular behaviors are inappropriate)

• Establish team norms à talk with athletes about difference between aggressive & assertive behaviors & work on nonviolent conflict resolution

• Control spectator aggression- strict policies, train officials & coaches, avoid glorifying aggressive acts in media