A-Level PE AQA Sport Psychology: Aggression

The intent to harm outside the rules; hostile behaviour

Well motivated behaviour within the rules

. Uncontrolled
. Intent to harm
. Outside rules
. Reactive

. Controlled
. No intent to harm
. Within rules
. Motivated

. Frustration-Aggression hypothesis
. Aggressive cue hypothesis
. Social learning theory
. Instinct theory

Aggression is spontaneous and innate

. The aggressive response is innate
. It is a product of our evolution and will surface under provocation. Defending territory - home pitch
. Players use sport as an outlet for built up aggressive energy. Catharsis

. Aggression may not be spontaneous
. Aggression is pre-planned/learned
. Evolution, not all aggressive
. Performers in aggressive sports calmer away from the game. Through catharsis

Cleansing of the emotions using sports as an outlet for aggression

. Aggression is inevitable when frustrating circumstances cause our goals to be blocked, eg a referee’s decision, poor play or being fouled
. Blocked goal causes frustration, frustration causes aggression, release of aggression causes catharsis if not released, further frustration is felt

. Suggests that aggression is caused by a learned trigger
. Aggression only occurs if learned ‘cues’ are present

Coach allows football player to elbow defender as team works for position in the penalty area as corner is taken. Taking of a corner is a learned cue for an aggressive response

. Aggression is learned from experience, coaches, role models and significant others.
. Aggressive behaviour will be copied if it is reinforced

Bandura suggested that children will copy the aggressive behaviour of adults, especially in a live situation

. Don’t reinforce aggressive acts in training
. Punishing players with fines, sub them
. Sending players off
. Mental rehearsal reduces arousal - teach cognitive techniques (imagery)
. Teach relaxation, stress management, calming players down
. Set goals on performance not outcome
. Reinforce assertion in training
. Applying the rules consistently and fairly
. Pointing out responsibilities to the team
. Walking away from the situation
. Applying sanctions immediately
. Non aggressive goals
. Highlight non aggressive role models
. Channel aggression into assertion

In a derby game such as the Manchester Derby, the home side will believe that defending their home ground is important so will therefore assert their dominance through aggression. However this aggression is thought to be innate but it can be pre-planned. It might be learnt that in a game like this that they have to show aggression but in other matches they may not have to or not show as much