🔑 Key Concept: Catharsis
Catharsis: Releasing pent-up frustration
On Objects: Works (punching bag reduces aggression)
On People: DOESN'T work (venting on people INCREASES aggression)
Important distinction for exam!
On Objects: Works (punching bag reduces aggression)
On People: DOESN'T work (venting on people INCREASES aggression)
Important distinction for exam!
📊 Measurement Challenge
- Aggression is hard to measure accurately
- Depends on intent to harm (difficult to observe)
- Same action may or may not be aggressive
👥 Fan Aggression
- Fans can be highly aggressive
- May instigate fights and violence
- Falsely believe others will join them
- "Deindividuation" in crowds increases aggression
🔥 Six Factors That Increase Aggression
- Higher Temperature - Heat increases aggression
- Perceiving Opponent as Aggressive - Reciprocal aggression
- Rivalry and Frequent Play - Familiarity breeds aggression
- Ego-Oriented Goals - Focus on beating others vs mastery
- Close Scores - High stakes and pressure
- Fear of Retaliation - "Get them before they get you"
🛑 Ways to Reduce Aggression
- Anger Awareness Training - Recognize triggers
- Promote Assertive Behavior - Teach appropriate intensity
- Severe Penalties - Strong consequences for aggression
- Control Alcohol - Limit alcohol at sporting events
💡 Exam Tips
- Catharsis: works on objects, INCREASES aggression on people
- Hard to measure because intent is difficult to observe
- 6 factors: temperature, perception, rivalry, ego goals, close scores, fear of retaliation
- 4 reduction methods: anger awareness, assertive behavior, penalties, control alcohol
- Fans: deindividuation and false belief others will join