Rationalization of Self-Reported Aggression among Male and Female University Soccer Players

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to find out the type of aggression used by university male and female soccer players and the rationalizations they give for the use of each type of aggression. Sixty-four university soccer players, 26 males and 38 females, participated in this study. Participants responded to the Bredemeier Athletic Aggression Inventory short form and the Mintah-Huddleston Aggression Justification Inventory. Overall, participants disagreed with the use of both hostile and instrumental aggression. But, female soccer players disagreed more with the use of hostile and instrumental aggression than their male counterparts. Female soccer players agreed more with the use of instrumental rationalization than males. Thus, it could be concluded that university soccer players disagree with the use of hostile and instrumental aggression in sport.