Aggression

• Assertion

  physicality that does not involve the intent to harm (unlike aggression) and is within the rules of the game
• Causes of aggression:

  • conflict
  • witnessing aggression
  • rivalry
  • importance
  • unfair official decisions
  • obstacles
  • fustrating.
• Instinct theory (Freud 1920): aggression is inevitable because it is genetically inherited and is predictable
• Positives if instinct theory:

  • supported by neuroscience - chemicals in the brain
  • can be managed if it is known
• Negatives if instinct theory:

  • suggests those with non aggressive genes will never be aggressive
  • contradicted by nurture argument (bobo doll)
• Social learning theory: learned through imitation of others, particularly role models and if they reinforce it, more likely if it is the social norm of the group
• positives of social learning theory:

  • role models are copied
  • supported by the nurture argument that we learn (bobo doll experiment)
• negatives if social learning theory:

  • contradicted by the nature argument
  • not everyone copies aggressive behaviour
• Frustration aggression hypothesis (Dollard 1939): frustration is caused by the environment blocking the goals of the performer, inevitably triggering aggression. if aggressive act is successful frustration will be released through catharsis
• Distraction aggression hypothesis steps

  Goal blocked > frustration > aggression > success > catharsis OR … goal blocked > frustration > aggression > punishment > frustration
• positives of frustration aggression hypothesis:

  • mixture of nature and nurture
  • catharsis is supported by research as a release of aggression
• negatives if distraction aggression hypothesis:

  • frustration doesn’t always happen before aggression/goals not always blocked before aggression occurs
  • aggression is not always the response to fustration
• Aggressive cue hypothesis: proposes that first ration leads to increased arousal which creates a readiness for aggression but will only be triggered if provoked by a cue from the environment
• Positives of the aggressive cue hypothesis:

  • mixture of nature and nurture
  • there’s evidence that cues do trigger aggression but also explains why some players are able to maintain composure and control arousal (not be aggressive)
• Negatives of the aggressive cue hypothesis:

  • people may be aggressive because it is legitimate
  • cue not always present for aggression to occur
• How can aggression be eliminated eliminated:

  • controlling arousal
  • avoid situations that initiate aggressive responses
  • remove aggressive players
  • punishments
  • reinforce non aggressive acts