Anger management Flashcards
What is CBT
Cognitive behavioural therapy - Helps patient come up with their own solutions to their problems and helps them gradually overcome issue by analysing irrational thoughts by giving them homework
What is anger management
Form of CBT offered in prisons to identify triggers of anger/implementing cognitive techniques to deal with situation and avoid anger
Aims to reduce emotional response by adjusting emotion using a range of cognitive behavioural skills
Short term aim - Reduce anger and aggression in prison
Long term aim - Rehabilitation and recidivism(reoffending rates)
What did Novaco do
Developed cognitive behavioural treatment
Treatment targets cognitive, behavioural and physiological aspects of anger during anger management
How does anger management target the aspects Novaco suggested
Cognitive - Irrational thoughts and self awareness is targeted
Physiological - Controlling physical state e.g. deep breaths
Behavioural - Setting homework and working on problem solving skills
What are the stages of anger management
Cognitive preparation
Skill acquisition
Application
Outline cognitive preparation
Offender reflects on past experiences/triggers of anger to identify irrational thoughts/behaviours
Therapist redefines situation as non confrontational to reduce anger response
Outline skill acquisition
Offender learns various techniques e.g. meditation, breathing skills etc
Allows offender to be in control of emotions
Outline application
Offenders can practise skills in controlled environment through roleplay
Roleplay allows offenders to act out previous experiences of anger
Therapist assesses progress and if roleplay is successful, therapist provides positive reinforcement
Outline Ireland’s study
Compared progress of anger management group to no treatment group
12 sessions
Outcomes assessed via interview, behavioural checklist by police officer and self report questionnaire
Found that 92% of experimental group showed improvement in at least one measure
Shows that anger management is effective in rehabilitation and reducing anger
What is the hello goodbye effect
Offenders show temporary positive attitudes/responses to anger management but arent actually improving
Evaluate anger management
Refuting evidence - Blackburn - Little evidence to suggest anger management reduces recidivism in the long term - Stages of anger management are artificial
Supporting research - Taylor et al - 75% improvement rate when comparing 6 meta analysis studies of anger management schemes - stages of anger management help reduce recidivism(counter - Law - study where only 1 person improved)
Methodological issues - Less experience staff will struggle to tackle cognitive, behavioural and physiological issues through stages of anger management compared to professional.
Nomothetic approach - Suggests all crime is committed due to anger and all offenders will benefit from anger management
