anger management

Question 1

what is anger management?

Answer 1

A therapeutic program that involves identifying the signs that trigger anger as well as learning techniques to calm down and deal with the situation in a positive way

Question 2

what is the first stage?

Answer 2

cognitive preparation
- this requires the offender to reflect on past experience. they learn to identify triggers to anger and the ways their interpretation of events may be irrational

e.g. an offender views someone looking at them as a confrontation. in redefining this situation as non-threatening, the therapist attempts to break what may be an automatic response for the offender.

Question 3

what is the second stage?

Answer 3

skill acquisition
- offenders are introduced to a range of techniques and skills to help them deal with anger-provoking situations

cog techniques - positive self-talk to promote calmness
behave plans - assertiveness training to communicate more effectively
physio tech - methods of relaxation and meditation

Question 4

what is the third stage?

Answer 4

application practice
offenders are given the opportunity to practice their skills in a carefully monitored environment.

e.g. role-play between offender and therapist may involve re-enacting scenarios that led to angry behavior in the past.

Question 5

what is a limitation of AM?

Answer 5

expensive and commitment
AM - expensive to run - requires trained specialists that are used to dealing with violent offenders. many prisons cannot fund these programs
the success of AM is based on the commitment of those who participate - a problem because prisoners can be uncooperative

Question 6

what is the strength of AM?

Answer 6

takes eclectic approach
AM works on different levels
- cognitive preparation identifies precursors to anger (stage 1)
- behavioral perspective develops self-management techniques (stage 2)
- social approach is adopted when offenders are required to demonstrate what they have learned during the role-play (stage 3)
this multidisciplinary approach acknowledges that offending is a complex social and psychological activity.

Question 7

what is another limitation of AM?

Answer 7

anger may not be the cause for offending
- theories of anger assume a causal relationship between anger and offending. however this assumption may be false
- loza and loza - fanous found no differences in levels of anger between offenders classed as violent and non-violent.
- this means AMP are misguided or damaging if they provide offenders with justification for their behaviour.