Aggression and Sport: An Inseparable Bond

that contact sports thrive in societies with high levels of aggression and violence. Unfortunately, there is a misconception that contact sports promote discipline, self-respect, and self-defense. However, these sports are not an effective method for teaching these qualities. While physical toughness can be beneficial, it should be limited to the field and not carried over into personal relationships. In fact, engaging in contact sports can lead to the mistreatment of family members, romantic partners, friends, and anyone who hinders the athletes' release of aggression and anger.

Hauser, Powers, Noam) Some people may argue that aggression is a skill and not necessarily violent. While we cannot definitively answer the question "Is aggression an instinct?", we can say that in humans, as well as other animals, there is a physiological mechanism that, when triggered, leads to both subjective feelings of anger and physical changes associated with fighting. This mechanism can be easily activated and, like other emotional responses, it is highly stereotypical and instinctual.

Just like one person is like a very angry person, they resemble one another at the psychological level. The way in which humans adapt to and control their feelings of rage (5. Toch). The mechanisms in which these body changes, the functions that come about is still completely misunderstood (5. Toch). Experiments from animal’s show that it appears that there is a small area from the base of the brain in which the feeling of anger starts. This area is called the hypothalamus and from it, nervous impulses are sent that cause the blood pressure to rise.

Its purpose is to synchronize reactions such as anger. (3 Diamond) The connection between anger, rage, and abnormal

or unnatural psychopathology in human behavior and experience. Individuals express their anger responses in varying manners. Like other human behaviors, violence has a significance that appears "senseless" or "meaningless" only when we cannot comprehend it. The majority of violence stems from intense human emotions of anger and rage. However, not all violent behavior arises from anger and rage; some of it is acquired, as previously noted.

According to Friedrich Nietzsche, "the will to power" is responsible for acts of violence, which can also be called rage (3. Diamond). Rage is a natural and defensive response to extreme stress or physical danger that is shared by both humans and animals. Walter Cannon refers to this reaction as the "fight or flight" response, which is crucial for species survival. When faced with any kind of threat to their physical well-being, individuals instinctively try to escape or physically defend themselves by attacking the source of the threat.

According to research, men tend to display greater aggression than women. This is especially noticeable in young males who have higher levels of natural testosterone. It seems that this hormone plays a role in driving behaviors aimed at asserting dominance and improving social status (Montague, 9). It is important to mention that dominance can be expressed nonaggressively or through direct harm towards others. Additionally, measuring testosterone levels at a specific moment is believed to indicate a man's overall testosterone level and can forecast various dominant behaviors.

Various animal experiments, specifically those involving rodents, demonstrate that increasing testosterone levels leads to an increase in aggressiveness. This aggressiveness is connected to dominance and antisocial behavior exhibited by the individuals. When an individual's apparent intent is to

attain or sustain a high status, obtain power and influence, or acquire valued prerogatives, they can be considered dominant. While rodents often display aggressive dominance, this is not necessarily true for humans. A significant portion of human interpersonal behavior focuses on managing dominance and subordination without resorting to physical harm, whether overtly or subtly.

It is more difficult to recognize instances of aggression driven by dominant motives, particularly those related to religious sacrifices. It is acknowledged that motivations for dominance and aggression vary in different situations (1. Felson, Tedeschi). Clinical science posits that every individual possesses the potential for violent destructiveness, although most individuals are able to suppress their hostile feelings. However, there are occasions when this attempt to suppress aggression is unsuccessful. Certain individuals conceal their aggressive tendencies to such an extent that even the slightest provocation can trigger uncontrollable and intolerable violence.

Even a cursory examination of violent behavior indicates that it is not without purpose or pattern. Individuals who belong to fighting gangs often display nonviolent tendencies when they are not with their fellow gang members. It appears that certain individuals who pose a significant threat have a preference for specific types of victims. This becomes evident when they refrain from aggressive behavior outside of certain contexts. There is often a correlation between engaging in violent acts and exhibiting socially unacceptable behavior. Acts of violence typically occur within certain social circles, specific environments, and on particular occasions. If violence truly lacked purpose and order, it would be difficult to comprehend why specific situations yield such high instances of violence.

Does a man assault his wife instead of the athlete who made a mistake just because

she is accessible? Violence cannot be linked to outbursts of anger alone. There is structure and organization to violence. The patterns of harm persist consistently and pass from one person to another. Similarly, violence appears to be connected to specific aspects of our lives. It appears to have intention and suggests the existence of concealed messages.

What are the causes and gratifications of violent behavior in individuals? How do individuals prone to violence operate? One potential factor that influences aggressive or dominant behavior is the level of testosterone in the bloodstream. This hormone can activate receptors in organs or the nervous system. Research on young males who have reached puberty shows a link between high levels of testosterone and dominant, aggressive, or antisocial behavior. These studies include investigations conducted on incarcerated men. Interestingly, scientists have discovered that there is no significant difference in testosterone levels between inmates who have engaged in fights while imprisoned and those who haven't, especially among individuals aged 18 to 35.

According to research conducted by Hawkins and Fredman, prisoners with a history of violence and aggression-related crimes exhibited higher testosterone levels compared to those without such a criminal record. Among individuals aged 18 to 45, there were no significant differences in testosterone levels between groups categorized based on their behavior (chronically aggressive, socially dominant without physical aggression, and neither aggressive nor dominant), except for the fact that both the aggressively dominant and chronically aggressive groups had significantly higher testosterone levels than the group that displayed neither aggressive nor dominant behavior.

Likewise, another study focused on 14 male college hockey players aged 18 to 23. This study discovered a noticeable correlation between testosterone levels

and coach ratings of player aggressiveness in response to threats.

Furthermore, an additional study examined four male physicians aged 23 to 38 during a two-week holiday cruise. The findings of this study revealed a correlation between testosterone levels and physician assertiveness and dominance as ranked by three women aboard the boat.

Research shows that there is substantial evidence indicating a link between circulating testosterone levels in men and their dominant or aggressive behavior, as well as their inclination to break societal norms (9. Montague). However, the question of whether high testosterone directly causes these behaviors is still being studied. Similarly, there has been a debate regarding the possibility of women displaying aggression and dominance similar to men. Nevertheless, the current available literature on the connection between testosterone and aggression or status in women is limited.

Scientists have reported an increase in the occupational status of 55 women with higher testosterone levels. In a study at a neurological clinic, it was found that female patients who were relatively aggressive had significantly higher testosterone levels compared to less aggressive ones. However, it is important to note that these patients had different diagnoses, which raises concerns about the accuracy of the comparison. To examine sex differences, researchers have studied how men and women respond to identical competitive situations (Toch, 5).

Both males and females were given saliva containing testosterone before, during, and after a same-sex video game competition. The effect of the competition on hormone levels differed between genders. Males showed an anticipated increase in testosterone prior to the competition, while females did not. Furthermore, contrary to standard findings where male winners have higher testosterone levels than losers, this was not seen.

This is probably because there were no mood differences induced by the video game between male victors and losers.

A study found that while female winners and losers showed a difference in mood, they did not display any distinct response to competition. This suggests that the effect of competition on testosterone is specific to men (Hawkins & Fredman, 7). Previous research conducted in laboratories and athletics has shown that testosterone levels increase in men prior to a competition, regardless of the final result. Applying these findings to everyday situations, hormone levels should be higher in young men who regularly face challenges to their reputation.

The results of the contest can affect testosterone levels, potentially leading to hormonal depression for persistent losers. However, most men, especially those with mixed outcomes or better, should experience increased testosterone levels (3. Diamond). Moving away from the past influences of the South, there might be a widespread sensitivity to insults within subcultures that have been or are based around young men who are constantly restricted by traditional community authorities responsible for social control. This phenomenon is observed in frontier countries, gangs, bohemian groups, and following social collapse or natural disasters.

The text emphasizes the significance of young males safeguarding their images and reputations, which frequently results in competitions for dominance as a form of interaction with other males (Toch, 5). When investigating racial disparities in testosterone levels among black and white boys aged 6 to 18, especially preteens, there was no noticeable variation based on race. Nevertheless, this situation alters as black men enter adulthood since they tend to possess considerably higher testosterone levels compared to white men. This discrepancy can potentially be

attributed to the increased defensive requirements imposed on black males during their adult years.

The correlation between hormones and behavior indicates that young men living in urban areas often adopt a defensive position because of their heightened testosterone levels. This increased hormone level also motivates them to engage in competitions for dominance. The reciprocal relationship between challenges and testosterone can create a pattern of events, sometimes leading to fatal outcomes (Hawkins, Fredman, 7). During adolescence, the impact of testosterone on behavior seems to mainly occur through long-term changes in the body and neurohormonal system, while short-term stimulation plays a secondary role.

Puberty typically concludes around the age of 16, during which the body experiences substantial transformations and approaches its mature state. Consequently, behavior is predominantly impacted by the concentration of testosterone in the blood. Testosterone possesses the capability to activate steroid receptors (Hauser, Powers, Noam, 10). Extensive evidence exists connecting testosterone levels with anticipated patterns both prior to and following dominance competitions. Specifically, testosterone levels have a tendency to increase shortly before a competitive event as if getting ready for the upcoming challenge.

Stepansky (4) states that testosterone levels increase in winners and decrease in losers after competitions. Moreover, testosterone levels rise following status evaluations but decline after status demotions. It is crucial to acknowledge that these effects are influenced by appropriate changes in mood. Although there is limited evidence, it suggests that this pattern of testosterone responses is mainly observed in men. Thus, previous studies have indicated that aggression is predominantly present among men in sports.

Aggressive individuals are attracted to violent sports events, where they can engage in acts of violence and experience a sense of belonging.

It is important to acknowledge that sports have the capacity to stimulate aggressive behaviors with potential negative consequences. While women can also demonstrate these behaviors, men tend to exhibit them more prominently. These patterns have endured over time since the beginning of sports. Regrettably, if these behaviors are not regulated, it will be the younger generation who will suffer the most – an undesirable outcome that may ultimately result in the complete abandonment of sports.