Rethinking Aggression And Violence In Sport

This book critically examines the important issues associated with aggression and violence in sport, including the psychological aspects of these two intrinsic elements of competitive sport. The book discusses the psychological benefits of sanctioned and unsanctioned sport violence, the psychological basis of spectator aggression, and case studies from a wide variety of sports.

Rethinking Aggression and Violence in Sport explores the psychological aspects of these two intrinsic elements of competitive sport. This book critically examines the important issues associated with aggression and violence in sport, including: * a review of current theory in the psychology of aggression * exploration of how players become acclimatised to physical violence * discussion of the psychological benefits of sanctioned and unsanctioned sport violence * examination of the moral and ethical dimensions of the debate * the psychological basis of spectator aggression * case studies from a wide variety of sports. This text is a must read for researchers and students within sport studies, psychology and sociology with an interest in human violence and aggressive behaviour. Review: 'If the only goal that this book achieved was to throw down the gauntlet and challenge our field to look closer at the problem of violence in sport, then it would have been a temendous success. John Kerr does this and much more ... [he] dares to go where predecessors would not ...' - Mitch Abrams, Journal of Applied Sport Psychology '[Kerr] deftly explains the complexities of reversal theory, a general psychological theory of motivation, and applies it to a myriad of different sporting situations with a clarity born of conviction ... this exciting and illuminating book should be read by all psychologists for its fascinating insights into aggression and violence.' - Dr Michael Ford, www.thepsychologist.org.uk, May 2005