Rethinking Aggression and Violence in Sport Some people think there is no place for aggression and violence in sport. Such a view is misguided. Those who understand the real nature of contact sports know that for many players, sanctioned aggression and violence are a primary source of excitement, pleasure and satisfaction and thus a major factor in their motivation for participation. Others claim that soccer hooligans and other sports rioters are ‘yobs’ involved in a mindless activity, while the truth is that the motivation behind this behaviour is far from straightforward. Popular wisdom suggests that observing violent sport has a detrimental effect on viewers, but the latest developments in theory and research suggest that this is not necessarily true. Rethinking Aggression and Violence in Sportuses numerous illustrative examples from a variety of sports to critically examine important issues associated with aggression and violence in sport, and includes: • A review of current theory in the psychology of aggression and violence. • Discussion of sanctioned and unsanctioned aggression and violence in sport. • An explanation of how players become acclimatised to physical violence. • Examination of the aggression and violence debate in youth sport. • Consideration of fan violence and sport riots. • Exploration of why people enjoy watching violent sport and its effect on observers. The book utilises the innovative character of reversal theory to rethink the topic and put across a different point of view from those that are generally accepted. It is a must for teachers, students and researchers within sport science/studies, psychology and sociology with an interest in human violence and aggressive behaviour. John H. Kerris Professor of Sport Psychology in the Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences at Kokushikan University in Japan. Rethinking Aggression and Violence in Sport John H. Kerr First published 2005 by Routledge 2 Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon OX14 4RN Simultaneously published in the USA and Canada by Taylor & Francis Inc 270 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10016 Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group This edition published in the Taylor & Francis e-Library, 2005. “To purchase your own copy of this or any of Taylor & Francis or Routledge’s collection of thousands of eBooks please go to www.eBookstore.tandf.co.uk.” © 2005 John Kerr All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or utilised in any form or by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publishers. Every effort has been made to ensure that the advice and information in this book is true and accurate at the time of going to press. However, neither the publisher nor the authors can accept any legal responsibility or liability for any errors or omissions that may be made. In the case of drug administration, any medical procedure or the use of technical equipment mentioned within this book, you are strongly advised to consult the manufacturer’s guidelines. British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data A catalog record for this book has been requested ISBN 0-203-49757-0 Master e-book ISBN ISBN 0-203-57139-8 (Adobe eReader Format) ISBN 0–415–28663–8 (hbk) ISBN 0–415–28664–6 (pbk) For Sarah and Paul “Serious sport has nothing to do with fair play. It is bound up with hatred, jealousy, boastfulness, disregard of all rules, and sadistic pleasure in witnessing violence: in other words, it is war without the shooting.” George Orwell (1948/1968). The sporting spirit. Collected essays, journalism and letters of George Orwell, vol. 4. London: Secker and Warburg. Contents List of figures and tables x Preface xi Acknowledgements xv 1 The state of play: Incidents, definitions and explanations 1 2 Getting started with reversal theory 19 3 New beginnings: A reversal theory view of violence 38 4 The joy of physical contact: Sanctioned aggression and violence in sport 46 5 When things turn ugly: Unsanctioned aggression and violence 66 6 Taking the hard knocks: Children’s and youth sport 80 7 Beyond the pale: Fan violence and sports riots 94 8 Blood and guts: Observing violence in sport 114 9 The final whistle: Rounding off 134 Author index 152 Subject index 156