Module 4: Aggression

Psychology for Sports Performance

1. Introduction to aggression
2. Types of aggression
3. Types of aggression activity
4. Causes of aggression
5. Controlling aggression
6. Anger management techniques
   1. Controlled breathing
   2. Self-talk
7. Self-talk activity

Introduction to aggression

Aggression is often associated with many sports in some kind of form especially at elite level. A rugby coach may tell the player to be more aggressive in the scrum, here they mean to put in more effort to win the ball. This is known as assertion as it is allowed within the rules of the game. Aggression is more commonly known when a player intends to injure or harm another player. The type of aggression which these elite sports performers show can be split in to different categories. Sports psychologists have looked at these categories and have used theories to try and explain why performers show aggressive behavior and how it can be controlled.

Definitions

Below are some example definitions of aggression:

Baron (1977):

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

Gill (1986):

"aggression is behavior in which a deliberate intent to harm or injure others is evident"