AGGRESSION and VIOLENCE

Aggression

• Aggression- any behavior directed toward intentionally harming or injuring another living being• Physical or verbal• Can cause mental or physical harm

• 4 criteria• 1-behavior• 2-directed towards a living organism• 3-Involves harm or injury(intent to inflict harm)• 4-Involves intent (did it on purpose)

• “Good” aggression=assertiveness

Hostile vs Instrumental

• Hostile Aggression- primary goal is to inflict injury or psychological harm to someone else

• Instrumental Aggression- occurs only b/c you want to conquer a non-aggressive goal

• Both involve the intent to injure and harm

AGGRESSION

• Get a partner, pick a sport and come up with an example for hostile, instrumental, assertive and non-aggressive behavior

What causes aggression

• 4 Theories:• 1-Instinct Theory• People have an innate instinct to be aggressive that builds up until it’s

expressed• Catharsis-aggression is released or blow off through socially

acceptable means• Corey had a bad day at school so he takes it out in hitting practice at

football

• 2-Frustration-Aggression Theory• Aggression is the direct result of a frustration that occurs b/c of failure• Frustrated b/c you are losing a game, so you become over aggressive

in a game

What causes aggression

• 3-Social –Learning Theory• Says that aggression is learned through observing others who

model particular behaviors followed by receiving reinforcement for exhibiting similar actions

• Ex-Everyone cheers at a fight at NHL, so Billy decides to start a fight in pee wee hockey

• Revised Frustration-Aggression Theory• Frustration does not always lead to aggression but it increases

the likelihood of aggression by increasing anger

Spectators/athletes

• Observing a sport does not lower the level of the spectators aggression

• Watching violent contact sports increases a spectator’s readiness to be aggressive

• Rivalries are associated with fan violence• Fans Fight

• Athletes view aggressive acts as appropriate in the sport environment

What We Should Know

• Understand when aggression is likely to occur:• Frustration, losing, perceived unfair officiating,

embarrassed, physically in pain, playing below their capabilities

• Modify aggressive reactions• Teach athletes to control emotions, remove from situation

• Teach appropriate behavior: what is right? What is wrong?

• Sports Violence - Sports Law

Controlling Spectators

• Develop alcohol policies• Penalize spectators • Strict officiating-officials must call ALL behavior issues• Coach involvement • Deter media displays of aggression• USA Today