Offending Behaviour: Anger Management

Question 1

What did Novaco say?

Answer 1

Cognitive factors trigger the emotional arousal which precede aggressive acts
In some people, anger is quick to surface especially in threatening situations

Question 2

What is anger management a form of?

Answer 2

CBT

Question 3

What happens during anger management?

Answer 3

The individual is taught how to recognise the cognitive actors that trigger their anger and loss of control- then encouraged to develop techniques which bring about conflict resolution without violence

Question 4

What are the 3 stages of anger management?

Answer 4

Cognitive preparation
Skills acquisition
Application practice

Question 5

What is cognitive preparation?

Answer 5

Offender reflects on past experiences and considers the typical pattern of their anger
Identify situations which act as triggers to anger- if the offender acts in an irrational manner, the therapist makes this clear
The therapist is aiming to break the automatic response of anger from the offender

Question 6

What is skills acquisition?

Answer 6

Offenders are introduced to a range of techniques and skills to help them deal with anger-provoking situations more calmly

Question 7

Cognitive technique for skills acquisition?

Answer 7

Positive self-talk to encourage calmness e.g. counting to 10

Question 8

Behavioural technique for skills acquisition?

Answer 8

Assertiveness training in how to communicate more effectively which will become an automatic response if practised regularly

Question 9

Physiological techniques for skills acquisition?

Answer 9

Deal with the physical reaction to anger by using relaxation training or meditation
Control emotions rather than being controlled by them

Question 10

Application practise?

Answer 10

Given the chance to practise their skills within a controlled environment
Role play involves the offender and the therapist re-enacting scenarios that may have escalated feelings if anger and acts of violence in the past
Requires commitment from the offender- must see each scenario as real
Bravery is required from the therapist- to wind up the offender to see their progress
If the offender deals successfully, this is positively reinforced by the therapist

Question 11

Julia Keen?

Answer 11

Studied the progress made with young offenders between 17 and 21 who took part in a national anger management programme
National anger management package was developed by the England and wales prison service
8 2 hour sessions- the first seven over a 3 week period with the last session a month afterwards
Final outcomes were positive

Question 12

AO3: better than behaviour modification?

Answer 12

Benefits may outlast those of behaviour modification
Anger management tackles one of the causes of offending- the cognitive processes which trigger anger, therefore offending behaviour
Behaviour modification deal only with surface behaviour and not the processes which drive such behaviour
Experience of anger management may give offenders new insight into the cause of their criminality and allow them to self-discover ways of managing themselves outside of the prison setting

Question 13

AO3: individual differences?

Answer 13

May depend on individual factors
Study by Kevin Howells conducted an investigation with Australian offenders
The researchers found that participation in an anger management programme had little overall impact when compared to a control group who received no treatment
Not true for all offenders in the treatment programme
Significant progress was made with the offenders who showed intense levels of anger before the programme
Offenders who were open to change and highly motivated from the outset (treatment readiness) experienced similar gains
Suggests that anger management may only benefit offenders if it fits a certain profile

Question 14

Counterpoint of it being better than behaviour modification?

Answer 14

Blackburn points out that anger management may have a noticeable effect on the conduct of offenders in the short term but it may not reduce recidivism in the long term
May be because the application phase of treatment relies on role play which may not properly reflect the possible triggers that are present in a real world situation.

Question 15

AO3: expensive?

Answer 15

Anger management programmes are expensive to run as they require the services of highly-trained specialists who are used to dealing with violent offenders
Many prisons may not have the resources to fund the programmes
Success of anger management is based on the commitment of those who participate- may be a problem if prisoners are uncooperative and apathetic
Change takes time- likely to add to the expense