PSY FPX 8840 Assessment 4 Understanding Aggression as an NFL Athlete

PSY FPX 8840 Assessment 4 Understanding Aggression as an NFL Athlete

Student Name

Capella University

PSY FPX 8840 Principles of Sport Psychology

Prof. Name:

Date

Objectives

• Gain insight into the application of psychological theory to understand aggression.
• Explore the intersection of research and aggression.
• Examine the historical context of aggression in sports performance.

Table of Contents

• What Constitutes Aggression?- Different Forms of Aggression
• Rationale for Researching Aggression through Psychological Lens
• Utilizing Psychological Frameworks to Decipher Aggression
• Assessing the Strengths and Limitations of Psychological Theories on Aggression
• Tracing the Evolution of Aggression in Sports Performance
• Diversity and its Impact on Aggression
• Identifying Gaps in Aggression Theories and Diversity Considerations
• Enhancing Sports Performance through Aggression Management

What Constitutes Aggression?Aggression refers to intentional actions aimed at causing harm or discomfort to others (Anshel, 2012). It is important to differentiate aggression from simple negative thoughts, verbal expressions of hostility, or emotional states such as anger. Additionally, proactive assertion, which is inherent in certain sports, does not necessarily imply malicious intent (Husman & Silva, 1984).

Different Forms of Aggression

Rationale for Researching Aggression through Psychological Lens

• Gain insights into the psychological mechanisms underlying aggressive behavior.
• Explore the transfer of aggression from sports to daily life.
• Develop coping strategies to mitigate hostile aggression.

Utilizing Psychological Frameworks to Decipher Aggression

Revised Frustration-Aggression Theory (Berkowitz, 1965)

This theory suggests that frustration or external stimuli can heighten arousal and anger, leading to increased aggression. Such aggression manifests only if the individual has learned that this behavior is appropriate in a specific context.

Assessing the Strengths and Limitations of Psychological Theories on Aggression

Tracing the Evolution of Aggression in Sports Performance

Aggression can be traced back to ancient civilizations, including the Greek and Roman empires (Guttmann, 1998). Various factors, such as environmental conditions and game dynamics, influence aggression levels (Wann, 2005).

Diversity and its Impact on Aggression

The perception of aggression varies across different sports. Factors such as gender and age significantly shape aggressive behaviors within sports contexts.

Identifying Gaps in Aggression Theories and Diversity Considerations

• Lack of consensus on the definition of aggression among researchers.
• Disparities in athlete positions and sizes.
• Insufficient research on women in football.
• Need for integrating neuroscience insights into aggression studies.

Enhancing Sports Performance through Aggression Management

Implementing advanced protocols and concussion testing can help understand the relationship between brain trauma and aggression. Early detection of brain trauma effects, such as Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE), can enhance player safety.

Summary

Aggression in sports, particularly in football, is complex. Achieving a balance between instrumental and hostile aggression while positively channeling excessive aggression can improve player effectiveness. However, further scientific research is essential for a comprehensive understanding and effective management of aggression.

References

Anshel, M. H. (2012). Sport psychology: From theory to practice (5th ed.). San Francisco, CA: Pearson Benjamin Cummings.

Berkowitz, L. (1965). The concept of aggressive drive: Some additional considerations. In L. Berkowitz (Ed.), Advances in experimental social psychology (pp. 301-329). New York: Academic Press.

Guttmann, A. (1998). The appeal of violent sports. In J. Goldstein (Ed.), Why we watch: The attractions of violent entertainment (pp. 7–26). New York: Oxford University Press.

Husman, B. F., & Silva, J. M. (1984). Aggression in sport: Definitional and theoretical considerations. In J. M. Silva and R. S. Weinberg (Eds.), Psychological foundations of sport (pp. 246–260). Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.

National Football League. (2019). 2019 OFFICIAL PLAYING RULES OF THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE. Retrieved from https://operations.nfl.com/media/3831/2019-playing-rules.pdf

PSY FPX 8840 Assessment 4 Understanding Aggression as an NFL Athlete

Wann, D. L. (2005). Essay: Aggression in sport. The Lancet, 366, S36-7. Retrieved from http://library.capella.edu/login?qurl=https%3A%2F%2Fsearch.proquest.com%2Fdocview%2F199039335%3Faccountid%3D27965

Widmeyer, W. N., Dorsch, K. D., Bray, S. R., & McGuire, E. J. (2002). The nature, prevalence, and consequences of aggression in sport. In J. M. Silva & D. E. Stevens (Eds.), Psychological foundations of sport (pp. 328–351). San Francisco: Benjamin Cummings.