Social Psychological and Perceived Situational Factors Related To Football Fans' Aggression Among Ethiopian Coffee and Saint George Football Fans in Addis Ababa Stadium
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Date
2010-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
This study set out to assess the following: (1) Relationship between Social psychological
factors (id entification and de-individuation) and fan aggression, (2) Difference in aggression
among fans' different levels of identification (3) Differences in aggressive behavior of football
fans across s ocia-demographic facto rs. (4) Situational factors (venue, event, and staff
variables) predicting fan aggression, and (5) Association between de-individuation and
situational factors. A random sample of spectators (N = 220) at football league game in Addis
Ababa Stadium were selected and completed a survey designed to identify or measure the
aforementioned variables.) The data was analyzed using s tatistics including, t-test,
descriptive mean comparison, one-way analysis of variance, pearson correlation, linear and
multiple regression. Linear regression showed that fan identification predicted fan
aggression. Consistent with previous studies, highly identified fans were more likely to
behave aggressively at games than moderately identified fans and lowly identified fans .
Multiple regression indicated that de-individuation components: anonymity, arousal, group
size, and loss of self awareness emerged as significant predictors of fan aggression
respectively. Venue-situational factors: stadium location, temperature, noise level, and
seating arrangement were rated important variables respectively. The two club fans did not
show significant differences in the above venue variables. Event-situational factors: crowd
demography, alcohol availability, performer behavior, event significance, and event duration
were found to be important in contributing to aggression. The two clubs fans significantly
differed in event s ignificance, performance quality, crowding, and event duration among the
event variables. Staff-situational factors: experience, communication, and training were rated
important contributors to aggression for both club fans. The t- test also revealed that the two
clubs fans significantly differed in communication among, presence, and experience of the
police officers in their contribution to fan aggression. From socio-demographic factors, age
and longevity of fandom were found to have significant effect on aggression. The research
results indicated that those fans aged between 21-25 tended to show higher levels of
aggression than any other age category. Fans with 6-10 years of fandom tended to
experience lower levels of physical aggression than fans with more than 15 years of
fandom. Analysis us ing a Pearson correlation matrix showed a pos itive correlation between
de-individuation and situational factors: staff, event, and venue characteristics.
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Keywords
Aggression Among Ethiopian Coffee