Aggression in Sports

Aggression and violence by players and fans has become permeated in almost every type of sport. We as a society has become increasingly accepting and even demanding of this deviant behavior. Media’s role in the acceptance of aggression and violence by competitors and spectators is the question. Newspapers devote entire sections to cover sporting events for fans. Television’s sports commentators contribute dramatic, opinionate commentaries to pre-game, game and post-game sporting events. Whether we like to admit it or not, the media has aided in the development of the public’s belief systems.

The goal of this current research is to measure the level of aggression acceptance of sports spectators and competitors at media covered events compared to non-media covered events. Is there a correlation between media coverage of sporting events and the increased level of acceptance of aggression and violence during sporting competitions by spectators and competitors? In this research the independent variable is the media coverage, whereas the dependent variable is the acceptance of aggression by spectators and competitors. The population in this study will be competitors and spectators from a diverse group of sporting competitions including contact, non-contact and collision sports as well as high profile and low profile sport teams.

There are various theories and numerous research conducted on the topics of aggression and violence in sports. Conversely, there has not been a great deal of research on the media’s role in the aggressive behavior we increasing witness in athletes and spectators. This review of the current literature will be divided into two categories: studies conducted on “aggression in sports” and studies conduct...

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