Term

AGGRESSIVE BEHAVIOR IN SPORT

Definition

Aggression; Form of behavior that intends to destroy property or injure another person; Intent to harm or injure always present; Grounded in disregard for well-being of self and others; Consequences can be psychological or physical; Research distinguishes between 2 types of aggression: Hostile/Reactive Aggression; Instrumental Aggression

Term

HOSTILE/REACTIVE AGGRESSION

Definition

Primary goal to inflict injury or psychological harm on another human; Intent to make victim suffer; Reinforcement for behavior is pain & suffering that’s caused; Behavior is accompanied by anger; Examples: Mike Tyson vs. Evander Holyfield; Luis Saurez; Elizabeth Lambert; Needville Softball Catcher

Term

INSTRUMENTAL AGGRESSION

Definition

Primary goal to achieve external reward or external goal; Intent to harm victim is present, but is not ultimate goal; Aggressor views act as instrumental in obtaining primary goal – behavior is a means to an end (scoring, winning game, drawing foul, stealing ball, establishing dominance, etc.); Sometimes referred to as “strategic physicality”; Tactic often employed by low achiever profile athletes; Obtaining goal reinforces behavior; Most aggression is instrumental, but hostile acts are featured more in media coverage; Examples: sliding hard to break up double-play in baseball; hard foul to prevent opponent from scoring easy lay-up in basketball; hard slide tackle in soccer, etc.