AGGRESSION IN SPORT

Difference between hostile and instrumental aggression

In sports psychology, it is crucial to differentiate between hostile and instrumental aggression, although both involve vigorous behaviors.

Hostile aggression is primarily aimed at causing harm or pain to another living being, driven by anger.

Instrumental aggression, on the other hand, uses physical force or contact as a means to achieve a tactical goal within (or at the edge of) the rules, without the emotional intent to harm.

To differentiate: A handball defender who grabs an opponent to prevent him from shooting at goal is exercising instrumental aggression; his goal is to stop play, not to harm.

However, if that same defender, frustrated at being behind, hits the opponent in the face when the ball is no longer in play, he is committing hostile aggression.

The former is a tactical tool; the latter is a loss of emotional control that harms the team and violates sports ethics.

Triggering factors: frustration and social learning.

Aggression does not arise from a vacuum; it is triggered by a combination of situational and personal factors.

The General Model of Aggression suggests that frustrating conditions (such as unfair refereeing or losing), physical pain, and observation of aggressive role models increase the likelihood of violent responses.

If an athlete perceives aggression as an accepted way to solve problems or gain status, he or she will replicate it.

Imagine a water polo match where physical contact is constant underwater.

If a player receives an unsanctioned hit (pain + frustration) and observes that his captain responds with another hit (social modeling), his internal state shifts toward hostility.

The combination of perceived injustice and a leader's validation of violence creates a "psychological permission" to assault.

The psychologist must work on emotional regulation to prevent these triggers from turning into impulsive behaviors that result in expulsions.

Summary

It is crucial to differentiate between hostile aggression, which