Aggression and Ethics in Sports Psychology

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Questions and Answers

What characterizes hostile aggression in sports?

Anger is usually involved (correct)

Harm is incidental to the game

Goal is to achieve some external reward

Performed within the rules of the game

What is a key difference between instrumental aggression and assertive behavior?

Assertive behavior has no intent to harm (correct)

Assertive behavior is often followed by punishment

Instrumental aggression is performed within the rules of the game

Instrumental aggression may involve anger

Which example illustrates hostile aggression?

A defensive linebacker stopping a running back

A player slashing another player with a stick during a hockey game (correct)

A soccer player executing a physical tackle to win the ball

A basketball player going for a rebound aggressively

What might be a potential cause of aggressive behavior in sports?

Parents showing interest in televised fights Signup and view all the answers

How is assertive behavior often confused with aggression?

Both require a high level of energy expenditure Signup and view all the answers

Which statement accurately describes instrumental aggression?

The goal is to achieve some external reward Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following behaviors could be considered assertive?

A quarterback rushing to block a defender Signup and view all the answers

In what way can aggressive behavior be described?

It may result from external influences like expectations Signup and view all the answers

What is one key characteristic of an athlete in the sport ethic?

Making sacrifices for the game Signup and view all the answers

What philosophy does the phrase 'Citius Altius Fortius' embody?

Continuous improvement and striving for distinction Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes how an athlete should deal with pain according to the sport ethic?

Ignore pain and continue competing Signup and view all the answers

What is a sign of deviance in sports according to the content?

Bending the rules for recruitment Signup and view all the answers

What is one reason why the IOC considers certain performance-enhancing drugs illegal?

They offer an unfair advantage. Signup and view all the answers

What can drive athletes to consider academic cheating?

Pressure to maintain a certain GPA Signup and view all the answers

Which drug is associated with an increase in muscle mass and strength?

Anabolic steroids Signup and view all the answers

Which action is an example of cheating in sports?

Using modification of equipment Signup and view all the answers

What physiological effect do amphetamines produce in athletes?

Increase muscle tension and heart rate Signup and view all the answers

What does accepting no limits in pursuit of possibilities imply for athletes?

Being dedicated enough to pursue one's dreams Signup and view all the answers

What is commonly associated with cheating in games?

Modification of play to gain advantage Signup and view all the answers

What misconception about women's physical activity contributed to their lack of participation in the past?

Physical exertion was believed to harm reproductive capabilities. Signup and view all the answers

What performance effect is associated with rectal air injections?

Decreased body density Signup and view all the answers

How do alkalines benefit athletes during competition?

They neutralize acid accumulation in the blood. Signup and view all the answers

What social issue significantly restricted women from participating in physical activities historically?

Legal and educational barriers Signup and view all the answers

Which performance-enhancing strategy helps to steady an athlete's hands?

Beta-adrenergic receptors Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the cultural concerns regarding sports for natives?

Maintenance of cultural values Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following changes has contributed to the inclusion of disabled individuals in sports?

Introduction of accessibility ramps Signup and view all the answers

What tends to increase aggression in teams with lower league standings?

Frustration and having little to lose Signup and view all the answers

What challenge do gay athletes face in professional sports?

Fear of social status and support being jeopardized Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary philosophy behind the Gay Games?

Participation and inclusiveness Signup and view all the answers

Why does a larger point spread lead to more aggression in sports?

Teams feel they can play more freely without consequences Signup and view all the answers

Which athlete was the first North American athlete to come out as gay in professional sports?

Dave Kopay Signup and view all the answers

In what way do physical contact sports affect aggression levels?

They increase aggression if players feel threatened Signup and view all the answers

What has been one barrier preventing older adults from participating in sports?

Developmental theories discouraging participation Signup and view all the answers

Which approach is recommended to reduce aggression in athletes during a game?

Tuning out fan reactions and focusing on the game Signup and view all the answers

What constitutes hazing in the context of sexual harassment?

Acts causing physical or mental harm Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the situation of natives in society concerning sports?

They often lack financial resources and opportunities Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about the achievements of disabled athletes is true?

They have gained recognition through determination of individuals like Terry Fox Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary reason athletes might engage in cheating?

Pressure from coaches or teammates to win Signup and view all the answers

How prevalent is hazing among university athletes based on reported research?

9 out of 10 athletes Signup and view all the answers

What behavior does cheating in sports primarily involve?

Engaging in behavior to circumvent or break the rules Signup and view all the answers

What was the societal expectation of women regarding their behavior in the context of sports?

To act 'lady-like' and emphasize femininity Signup and view all the answers

What change significantly increased women's participation in sports over the past generation?

The establishment of new teams and programs Signup and view all the answers

What impact did the global women's rights movement have on women in sports over the past 30 years?

It emphasized the importance of developing physical abilities Signup and view all the answers

What did the investigation findings in the 1980s reveal about female participation in inter-collegiate athletics?

64% of inter-collegiate athletes were males Signup and view all the answers

What is one reason women still do not receive equal opportunities in sports today?

Historical societal norms limiting participation Signup and view all the answers

What was one key conclusion of the U.N.'s Fourth World Conference on Women in 1996?

Efforts should be increased to provide sports opportunities for females Signup and view all the answers

Which sport was specifically mentioned as being discouraged for women due to societal expectations?

Bicycling Signup and view all the answers

What disparity persists between male and female athletes despite increased participation?

Male athletes enjoying greater financial rewards Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Physical Activity & Sport Issues

This presentation examines sport sociology, focusing on key issues within the sport environment
Modern sport often reflects societal attitudes, sometimes emphasizing winning above all else.

Definitions

Sociology is the study of human society in various environments (e.g., workplace, church, school).
Sport sociology examines the functioning of society within the contemporary sport environment.
Modern Sport reflects societal values like winning at all costs, even if the behaviour is questionable.

Important Issues in Sport Sociology

Aggression and Violence in Sport
Cheating in Sport
Gender and Sport
Race and Ethnicity in Sport
Racism in Sport
Other Victims of Discrimination
Future Sporting Trends

Aggression and Violence in Sport

Violence in sports mirrors societal violence as seen in news coverage.
Examples of violence in various sports are included (e.g., Zidane headbutt, McSorley incident).
The concept of violence is further explained through the components of aggressive behavior.

Violence Components

Violence is extreme aggression.
Components of aggression include Hostile, Instrumental, and Assertive Behavior.
Hostile Aggression involves an intent to cause harm, suffering, and generally involves anger. It is outside the rules of the game. Examples include fistfights.
Instrumental Aggression involves intent to cause harm but aimed at achieving an external reward, without anger. It often occurs within the rules (e.g. aggressive checking).
Assertive Behaviour is often misinterpreted as aggression. Though it may result in harm, intent is not to cause harm or suffering; any resulting harm is incidental to the game. Examples are tackling, blocking.

Causes of Aggressive Behaviour in Sport

The presentation identifies factors that contribute to aggressive behavior in sporting contexts, including:
- Parental and Coach Influence: Comments that encourage aggressive behaviour, and lack of reactions to aggressive actions can be significant contributors.
- Outcome of Competitions: Loss impacts some athletes more severely leading to aggressive behavior. Lower ranking teams may have heightened aggressiveness due to losing or feeling they have nothing to lose.
- Point Spread: Larger point spreads can lead to increased aggression because the outcome seems inevitable.
- Physical Contact: Sports with high physical contact may lead to greater aggression if athletes feel threatened or attacked.
- Fan Reactions: Away matches can result in hostile or negative reactions from the crowd leading to aggressive behavior by players

Sexual Harassment

Hazing, a common issue, is broadly defined as any act causing physical or mental harm.
Research shows that most university athletes have been affected by hazing.
Hazing becomes sexual harassment when inappropriate touching or undressing occurs.

Cheating in Sport

Cheating is defined as maneuvering around, or breaking, the rules to gain an advantage.
Motivation behind cheating often boils down to a "win at all costs" mentality or a lack of adherence to ethical considerations. Some examples are outlined from specific sports.

The Sport Ethic

The sport ethic is a set of norms that describe what it means to be a successful athlete.
Some sports ethics norms include:
An athlete must make sacrifices for the game, putting it above all else (e.g., family, work).
An athlete strives for distinction, continually seeking improvement to reach perfection. This concept is summed up as 'Citius Altius Fortius', (faster, higher, stronger).
An athlete accepts risks and plays through pain, not giving in to pressure, pain, or fear. Overcoming the fear and challenge of competition, along with accepting increased risk.
An athlete accepts no limits in pursuit of possibilities, recognizing that anything is achievable with dedication.

Athlete Recruitment and Academic Issues

Rules are frequently bent to recruit talent, resulting in athletic scholarships being ignored, possibly in the recruitment process.
Athletes may have academic tasks completed by others, resulting in issues surrounding cheating.
Maintaining acceptable grades may result in cheating, because of the pressure on athletes.

Cheating in Games.

Athlete behavior may include ways of modifying equipment or the sport itself to gain an advantage (e.g. rewiring athletes, fixing baseballs).
Players may utilize improper techniques to give an advantage in the game (e.g. grabbing an opponents jersey).

Modern Sports Trends and Issues

Continued Emphasis on Health and Fitness; Concerns will persist regarding preventative health aspects of physical activity. Emphasizing involvement instead of solely performance will take center stage.
Alternative sports will continue to emerge.
Sports in the future can expect more people to watch the games vs. participating in the games. Watching professional sports, and sports which come from other cultures are expected to increase. Virtual sports are a likely part of the future.

Gender & Sport

Historical Barriers: women faced lack of rights, emphasis on reproduction, and societal expectations of being "lady-like". This affected participation in sporting activities.
Modern Trends: Increased opportunities and participation by women in sports and recognition of the benefits of participation in physical activity.
Societal expectations and expectations around femininity can limit the performance of women's sports.

Race & Ethnicity in Sport

Definition of Race & Ethnicity
Historical Racism: historical examples in the American major leagues.
Modern Progress: Increased representation at significant sporting events and organizations.
Ongoing Inequality: Disparities in player access persists in a number of sporting events.

Victims of Discrimination Other than Gender and Race

Canada's First Nations: Concerns involving equity, cultural values, and maintaining traditional sports in sport.
People with Disabilities: Historical segregation, progress in inclusion, and the increase in sporting facilities for people with disabilities.
The Gay Athlete Community: Coming out as a gay athlete can put risks to social status, family, and fan affection. Some athletes have taken stands to support equality in sports.

In Summary

Factors have led to heightened interest and participation from athletes across gender, race, and ethnicity, and disability status.
An increased emphasis on sporting equity and opportunities continues to be sought.

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Description

This quiz explores the concepts of aggression, assertive behavior, and the ethics within sports. It addresses key differences between types of aggression, potential causes of the behavior, and the philosophy of athletes competing. Test your understanding of these critical psychological principles in athletics.