What is aggression?
 Aggression-an
unprovoked attack(1) any offensive
activity (2) a hostile or destructive mental attitude
or behaviour (Collins Dictionary definition)
 AQA definition
 Behaviour that harms another human being
 Behaviour that is intentional
 Behaviour that is outside the laws of the game
Defining Aggression

“Aggression is any form of behaviour toward the goal of
harming or injuring another living being who is motivated
to avoid such treatment”
(Baron 1977)

“Aggression does not essentially involve injury, violence
usually does”
(Brown 1985)

“The intentional infliction of some form of harm to
others”
(Gross 1991)
Aggression is….
 First
act of harm, hostility or injury
 Involves physical and verbal action (thinking is not
aggressive).
 Involves an implied intention
 Ultimately damaging, whether physical or mental.
 Is outside the rules of the game.
Assertion
 Goal
directed behaviour
 Acceptable but forceful behaviour
 Legitimate physical/verbal force
 No intention to harm or injure
 Behaviour which does not violate the agreed rules
of the sport. E.g. strong tackling in rugby, smash in
tennis.
Types of Aggression
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Hostile aggression
Outside the rules of the game. Aimed solely at hurting someone, the
primary reinforcement is seeing pain or injury inflicted on another
person. (sometimes called reactive aggression)
Instrumental aggression
A means to an end, aggression to achieve a non-aggressive goal.
Primary reinforcement being tangible reward.
e,.g an instrument to achieve victory!
Channelled aggression
More positive form. Performer diverts aggressive feelings into
positive actions.
E.g concentrating/working harder. (helpful to team or individual.
Theories of Aggression (Instinct)
 Instinct
theory
 Aggression is inherited not learnt
 Result of evolution and inevitable just as in any
other species which fights to survive.
 This can be acceptable e.g. competitive sport,
expeditions
 Or unacceptable e.g. crime (external) or self
(suicide)
Criticisms of Instinct theory
 Research
shows that societies do not show similar
levels of aggression.
 Theory implies that aggression is hostile yet there
are clear examples of instrumental aggression in
society.
 Social studies show that aggression can be learnt
 E.g. Bobo dolls (Bandura)
Frustration-aggression hypothesis
Dollard et al (1939).
 The existence of frustration leads to some form of
aggression.
 In sport prevention of us achieving our goal leads to
frustration which in turn lead to aggression.
 E.g. someone keeps tackling you preventing your team
from winning.
 Aggression can either be successful and provide catharsis,
or unsuccessful resulting in punishment. This in turn
reduces or increases the level of frustration.
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Criticisms of Frustration-aggression
hypothesis
 Not
all individuals who experience frustration
exhibit aggressive behaviours.
 Individuals who do get aggressive do not exhibit
this behaviour every time they become frustrated.
 Some individuals exhibit aggressive tendencies
even when there is no obvious blockage to their
goals to provide frustration.
Aggressive cue Theory
 Berkowitz
(1994)
 Developed in response to the criticisms of frus-agg
 For aggressive behaviour to occur socially learned
cues must be present in the environment.
 E.g. encouragement from coach (person related)
 Aggression related sports (rugby, boxing)
 Aggression related objects (bats, boxing gloves)
Social Learning Theory
We learn by observing others and the reinforcement they
receive.
 If this other person is significant (e.g. role model) and the
reinforcement they receive is positive then we are likely to
copy this behaviour.
 Give an example of this.
 If we imitate behaviour and receive positive reinforcement
then we are likely t repeat the behaviour.
 If role models are punished for aggressive behaviour then
we are less likely to imitate it.
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Deinviduation Theory
 Mob
mentality
 The larger the group or crowd the more likely that
individuals will act as the crowd acts rather than in
accordance with their own beliefs and values.
 E.g. Football hooliganism
Conclusions
 There
is some evidence to suggest that genetic
inheritance can predispose some people towards
violence (Instinct)
 Obstacles to success can cause frustration which
can lead to aggression especially in the presence of
aggressive cues.
 Socialisation probably has the greatest effect on
whether we act aggressively in sporting situations.
Controlling Aggression
Very popular exam question
 Homework
 Summarise (5) theories of aggression in your own words.
 Copy out all diagrams of aggression theories. 12.11, 12.12
(pg 169/170)
 Read controlling aggression and summarise then copy
table 12.1 (pg 172)
 Half term test next weds (personality, achievement
motivation, attitudes and aggression).
