Sport Psychology: Aggression in Sport
Aggression in sport is any behaviour intended to cause psychological or physical harm to another person, which is outside the rules of the sport and is not a necessary part of achieving the sporting goal.
Before you start
No specific prerequisites - this is a good place to start.
Method
- Read the scenario and decide first whether the behaviour described is within the rules and free of intent to harm, which is assertion, or breaks the rules or intends harm, which is aggression; quote the detail in the scenario that shows intent or rule-breaking.
- If the behaviour is aggression, decide whether it is direct (aimed at a person) or indirect (channelled through an object or an excessively hard, uncontrolled action) and justify with the specific detail given.
- If asked to explain the cause, choose the theory that fits the scenario: the frustration-aggression hypothesis if the player has just experienced a setback such as a bad decision or being fouled; social learning theory if the scenario mentions the player copying, being coached, or being praised or rewarded for aggressive behaviour.
- For social learning theory answers, name the four stages examiners expect: attention (the player notices the model's behaviour), retention (they remember it), reproduction (they are physically able to copy it) and reinforcement (the behaviour is repeated because it is rewarded, for example by praise, success or crowd approval).
- For extended questions, build a two-sided argument: explain how one theory accounts for the behaviour in the scenario, then consider whether the other theory also applies or gives a fuller explanation, before reaching a supported conclusion.
- Where a question asks for strategies to reduce aggression, suggest specific, named methods, such as a coach substituting a player before frustration escalates, official use of cards or sanctions, or a coach avoiding praise for aggressive acts so it is not reinforced.
Worked example
During a rugby match, a prop forward is penalised for a high tackle he did not think was deliberate. Minutes later, after the referee awards a second penalty against his team for offside, he punches an opposition player off the ball. Identify whether this is direct or indirect aggression, and use the frustration-aggression hypothesis to explain why it may have happened.
- Identify the behaviour: punching an opposition player is physical contact intended to cause harm to that specific person, so it is direct aggression.
- Recall the frustration-aggression hypothesis: aggression results from a build-up of frustration, often triggered by a blocked goal or a perceived injustice.
- Apply it to the scenario: the prop experienced two frustrating events in quick succession, a penalty he felt was unfair and a second penalty against his team, which built up frustration.
- Link the build-up to the outcome: this build-up crossed a threshold and was released as a direct, physical act of aggression against an opposition player, consistent with the hypothesis that frustration precedes an aggressive act.
- Conclude with the specific detail: the punch is best explained as a reaction to the accumulated frustration of the two decisions, rather than as a premeditated act, which is what the frustration-aggression hypothesis predicts.
Practice questions
Try each question, then tap to reveal the answer.
Q1Define assertive behaviour in sport.Show answer
Answer: The use of justified, controlled force or effort within the rules of the sport, with no intent to harm the opponent.
Q2A cricketer smashes his bat against the boundary boards after being given out. Is this direct or indirect aggression?Show answer
Answer: Indirect aggression - the aggression is channelled through an object, the bat and boards, rather than directed at another person.
Q3Name the theory that explains aggression as a result of a build-up of frustration when a goal is blocked.Show answer
Answer: The frustration-aggression hypothesis.
Q4According to social learning theory, what must happen for an observed aggressive behaviour to be repeated?Show answer
Answer: It must be reinforced - for example, the model is praised, rewarded or successful as a result of the behaviour, making the observer more likely to copy it.
Q5A fly-half makes a strong, fair, full-blooded tackle that is completely within the rules and has no intent to injure. Is this aggression or assertion?Show answer
Answer: Assertion - it uses controlled, legal effort with no intent to harm, even though it is forceful.
Q6Give one strategy a coach could use to reduce a team's use of indirect aggression during matches.Show answer
Answer: For example, teaching and rewarding controlled shot selection and technique, or substituting a visibly frustrated player before frustration boils over.
Exam-style questions
Written in the style of a GCSE Physical Education exam paper, with a full mark scheme.
A young footballer sees his club captain, whom he admires, aggressively shoulder-barge an opponent off the ball, and the crowd cheers loudly. In his next match he copies the same aggressive shoulder-barge. Using social learning theory, explain why the young player copied this behaviour.
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A basketball coach notices that one of her players becomes increasingly aggressive, including off-the-ball elbowing, whenever the referee misses several fouls against her in a game. Discuss which theory or theories best explain this player's aggression, and suggest one strategy the coach could use to manage it.
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See real GCSE Physical Education past-paper questions, with official mark schemes →
Free printable worksheet
Want more practice on paper? Download the sport psychology: aggression in sport worksheet pack - 10 pages of exam-style questions with a full mark scheme. One email opens every download in this browser for 14 days - no account, no card. Print it for personal and classroom use.
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