Aggression has been defined as:
“Any form of behaviour directed toward the goal of harming or injuring another living being who is motivated to avoid such treatment.”
This definition raises several points:
- Aggression is behaviour. Thinking negative thoughts or being angry is not aggression.
- Aggression is intentional behaviour. Accidental harm is not aggression. The idea of intent is usually interpreted by the referee.
- Aggression involves harm or injury. This may be physical, but could be psychological, such as trying to embarrass an opponent.
- Aggression involves living beings. Kicking your dog is aggression, but kicking a chair is not.
