Types of aggression

Overview

Hostile, instrumental, reactive and channelled aggression with examples of each, why instrumental aggression is still unacceptable, the problem of reactive aggression, and how channelled aggression relates to assertion.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

1. 1

   What is hostile aggression?

   Model answer

   Hostile aggression is behaviour whose main aim is to harm another person. Hostile aggression is usually driven by anger.

2. 2

   Give an example of hostile aggression.

   Model answer

   A boxer who punches an opponent after the bell out of anger shows hostile aggression. The aim is to hurt rather than to win.

3. 3

   What is instrumental aggression?

   Model answer

   Instrumental aggression is harm used as a means to reach a goal. Winning, not hurting, is the main aim.

4. 4

   Give an example of instrumental aggression.

   Model answer

   A defender makes a late, heavy challenge early in a match to intimidate a striker. The aim is to gain an advantage, not simply to hurt.

5. 5

   Why is instrumental aggression still unacceptable?

   Model answer

   Instrumental aggression accepts harm to an opponent as a price of winning. The act breaks the rules and risks serious injury.

6. 6

   What is reactive aggression?

   Model answer

   Reactive aggression is aggression in response to provocation or frustration. The act is retaliation, often in the heat of the moment.

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