Aggression
Aggression can be defined as Behaviour with the intent to harm another.
Therefore Gill (1986) argues that Aggression must have the following three features.
It is a behaviour – wanting to hit someone is not aggression, but hitting them is, just as telling them you are going to hit them is also aggressive.
Involves harm or injury to another living organism – this can be either physical harm (a cracked skin) or psychological harm (creating fear).
Involves intent – harm which is done accidentally is not aggression. If a hockey player comes from behind to tackle an opponent on her stick side and catches the stick on her shin, this is an accident.
However some psychologists might disagree with the above definition as it does not include Aggression to an inanimate object such as a tennis racket.
