Does Frustration Lead to Violence? Evidence from the Swedish Hooligan Scene

C-Tier
Journal: Kyklos
Year: 2010
Volume: 63
Issue: 3
Pages: 450-460

Score contribution per author:

1.005 = (α=2.01 / 1 authors) × 0.5x C-tier

α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count

Abstract

Sport‐related violence is widespread. Yet, there is a poor understanding of what factors trigger hooligans to become unruly. In this paper I test the so called frustration‐aggression hypothesis, which holds that thwarted expectations from a reference point tend to lead to violent behavior. I use unique data on hooligan violence in Sweden. I find that frustration, generated by a team's bad performance, indeed leads to unruly supporter behavior. A one‐position drop in the soccer league leads to approximately 5 percent more unruly behavior by the team's supporters. The analysis helps policy makers in their endeavors to reduce group‐related violence.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:bla:kyklos:v:63:y:2010:i:3:p:450-460
Journal Field
General
Author Count
1
Added to Database
2026-01-29