Aggression…Aggression…

Mr. P. LeightonMr. P. Leighton

Sports PsychologySports Psychology

Y13Y13

Today’s Session…Today’s Session…

Look at and understand the impacts Look at and understand the impacts of aggression on performance and of aggression on performance and behaviour- theories linked with this…behaviour- theories linked with this…

Understand the difference between Understand the difference between Aggression and Assertion (Hostile Aggression and Assertion (Hostile and Channelled aggression)and Channelled aggression)

What are the causes of Aggression? What are the causes of Aggression?

What is aggression?What is aggression?

““Aggression is any behaviour that is Aggression is any behaviour that is intended to harm another individual by intended to harm another individual by physical or verbal means”. (Bull, 1990)physical or verbal means”. (Bull, 1990)

““Aggression is any form of behaviour Aggression is any form of behaviour directed towards the goal of harming or directed towards the goal of harming or injuring another living being who is injuring another living being who is motivated to avoid such treatment” motivated to avoid such treatment”

(Baron)(Baron)

Aggression and Assertion…Aggression and Assertion…

Aggression Aggression (Hostile)(Hostile) Prime motive is to harm.Prime motive is to harm. Aim is to injure.Aim is to injure. A Violation of the rules in A Violation of the rules in

any game.any game. Dysfunctional to the sport.Dysfunctional to the sport. ““Hostile Destructiveness” Hostile Destructiveness”

(Parens, 1988) (Parens, 1988)

AssertionAssertion (Channelled) (Channelled) Within the rules and in the Within the rules and in the

spirit of the game.spirit of the game. Forceful, robust but Forceful, robust but

functional.functional. Extension of completing Extension of completing

the skill successfully.the skill successfully. ““Self-protective mastery Self-protective mastery

behaviour” behaviour” (Parens, (Parens, 1988)1988)

Watch the following clips… Watch the following clips… Aggression or Assertion?Aggression or Assertion?

Actual or Perceived

Unfairness.

Ill-feeling in Previous game.

Big losing margin

Reaction to Hostile situation.

Nature of The game?

Copying the Behaviour ofPlayers/ RM.

Retaliation to An incident.

Excessive Pressure to win.

Displaced aggression

Frustration at Poor performance

Or loss.

Antecedents of Aggression…

Theories on Aggression…Theories on Aggression… Instinct Theory: (Trait theory)Instinct Theory: (Trait theory)

Freud (1920) was updated by Lorenz (1966).Freud (1920) was updated by Lorenz (1966). ““Behaviour is always predictable”.Behaviour is always predictable”. Aggression is genetically inherited.Aggression is genetically inherited. Violence lies within everyone (dormant or Violence lies within everyone (dormant or

active)active) Freud called this “The death instinct”- we all Freud called this “The death instinct”- we all

seek aggressive destruction (War, Violence, seek aggressive destruction (War, Violence, Aggression in sport)Aggression in sport)

Lorenz stated that aggressive energy is Lorenz stated that aggressive energy is constant- needs a release… link to catharsis?constant- needs a release… link to catharsis?

Bandura stated? ________________________.Bandura stated? ________________________. Aggression is ___________________________ .Aggression is ___________________________ . Aggression is ____________ by watching another Aggression is ____________ by watching another

performer or role model.performer or role model. It is accepted if reinforced by others.It is accepted if reinforced by others. It will re-occur if it is part of the norm of the group It will re-occur if it is part of the norm of the group

i.e. Oakland Raiders/ Ice Hockey teams.i.e. Oakland Raiders/ Ice Hockey teams.

Social Learning Theory…Social Learning Theory…

All behaviour is learnedNurtured through

environment.Learned

Frustration Aggression Frustration Aggression Hypothesis: Hypothesis: (Interactionist (Interactionist

perspective)perspective) Dollard (1939) stated frustration occurs when goal-Dollard (1939) stated frustration occurs when goal-

directed behaviour is blocked.directed behaviour is blocked. Frustration increases when the goal reflects ego or Frustration increases when the goal reflects ego or

outcome orientation i.e. winners win.outcome orientation i.e. winners win. Environmental situations: Defeat, good opposition, Environmental situations: Defeat, good opposition,

officiating.officiating. Frustration created by the environment triggers Frustration created by the environment triggers

the aggressive gene.the aggressive gene. If the act is successful frustration is released If the act is successful frustration is released

(Catharsis)(Catharsis) If the act is unsuccessful: punishment and more If the act is unsuccessful: punishment and more

frustration.frustration.

Aggression Cue Hypothesis: Aggression Cue Hypothesis: (Interactionist perspective)(Interactionist perspective)

Berkowitz (1969) built on the research by Dollard.Berkowitz (1969) built on the research by Dollard. He agreed that frustration leads to increased He agreed that frustration leads to increased

arousal, however he disagreed that frustration arousal, however he disagreed that frustration alone caused aggression.alone caused aggression.

Frustration created “readiness” for aggression Frustration created “readiness” for aggression which is only triggered when a proactive which is only triggered when a proactive environmental cue is present.environmental cue is present.

Aggressive cues such as unfairness (perceived) the Aggressive cues such as unfairness (perceived) the opposition shirt or nature of the game will trigger opposition shirt or nature of the game will trigger aggression if arousal is high.aggression if arousal is high.

However, better players can control this frustration However, better players can control this frustration and arousal.and arousal.

Controlling and Eliminating Controlling and Eliminating Aggression…Aggression…

Major factor in optimising Major factor in optimising performance.performance.

Aggression in any theory inhibits Aggression in any theory inhibits concentration and team cohesion.concentration and team cohesion.

Gill (2000) stated that there is no Gill (2000) stated that there is no evidence that aggression or evidence that aggression or aggressive acts improve aggressive acts improve performance.performance.

Eliminating Aggression…Eliminating Aggression…Cognitive (Psychological)Cognitive (Psychological) Thought processes that Thought processes that

lower cognitive arousal.lower cognitive arousal. Includes imagery that Includes imagery that

focus on achieving a focus on achieving a calm state of mind calm state of mind (mental rehearsal + (mental rehearsal + vicarious experience?)vicarious experience?)

How do you calm How do you calm down?down?– Count to 10Count to 10– ImageryImagery– Distancing from cuesDistancing from cues

Somatic (Physiological)Somatic (Physiological) physiological physiological

processes: PMR and processes: PMR and breathing.breathing.

BIOFEEDBACK (HR/ BIOFEEDBACK (HR/ Breathing rate etc) Breathing rate etc) helps control this state.helps control this state.

Non-aggressive Non-aggressive behaviour should be behaviour should be reinforced to ensure a reinforced to ensure a favourable S-R bond.favourable S-R bond.

Aggression can be Aggression can be controlled through controlled through attribution- success- attribution- success- ability not to ability not to intimidation.intimidation.

Continued…Continued…Somatic (Physiological)Somatic (Physiological)

Task orientated performers judge Task orientated performers judge themselves against their own themselves against their own ability…ability…

Ego- orientated performers judge Ego- orientated performers judge themselves against others… trigger themselves against others… trigger aggression?aggression?

Kavussanu (1997) agreed with Kavussanu (1997) agreed with this…this…““performers striving for ego performers striving for ego orientated goals are more likely to orientated goals are more likely to engage in cheating behaviours, engage in cheating behaviours, play unfairly and be inclined to play unfairly and be inclined to injure others”.injure others”.

How can this be combated?How can this be combated?– Create a task-orientated environment.Create a task-orientated environment.

Detrimental effects of Detrimental effects of aggression…aggression…

Silva (1979) proposed that hostile Silva (1979) proposed that hostile aggression may increase arousal causing aggression may increase arousal causing reduced concentration and _____________ .reduced concentration and _____________ .

Underachievement can lead to LEARNED Underachievement can lead to LEARNED HELPLESSNESS and an inclination to give HELPLESSNESS and an inclination to give up.up.

Silva also stated that aggressors can are Silva also stated that aggressors can are more likely to be injured or removed from more likely to be injured or removed from the game (dysfunction)the game (dysfunction)

Aggressors also feel anger and less Aggressors also feel anger and less satisfaction more often- leading to them satisfaction more often- leading to them having reduced motivation to continue. having reduced motivation to continue.

Work for you…Work for you…

Attempt this exam style question,Attempt this exam style question,

““Describe three methods that a coach Describe three methods that a coach might use to eliminate aggressive might use to eliminate aggressive tendencies of performers and to tendencies of performers and to encourage healthy active lifestyles” encourage healthy active lifestyles” (6)(6)

Any Questions?Any Questions?Have a nice xmas Have a nice xmas