A cognitive derby within football supporters : The role of executive functions on aggressive and violent behavior

Sammanfattning: The purpose of the present study was to evaluate to what extent executive functioning has an impact on aggressive and violent behavior contextualized within football supporters. The sample consisted of 142 (111 males and 31 females) football supporters, between 16-71 years old (M=34,58, SD=12,53) who, during the 2022 season of the Swedish football league “Allsvenskan” visited at least one game. Results showed an association between aggressive and violent behavior contextualized within football supporters and certain aspects of executive functions, as well as self-control. The association did not significantly differ depending on frequency of game-day attendance, thus indicating the presence of the association for various subgroups of supporters. The results are in line with previous research on the association between executive functions and aggressive and violent behavior. The present study is one of the few studies adopting a bio-/neurological perspective on football violence. Thus indicating that more research is warranted on this specific topic, as well as a need for a re-evaluation of strategies preventing football violence.