Anger Management Flashcards
Anger management
Uses of Anger management
- The short-term aim is to reduce anger and aggression in prisons
- The longer-term term aim of rehabilitation and reduction of recidivism especially with violent criminals
Anger in prisoners
Criminals often exhibit irrational thinking, such as a hostile attribution bias. The bias involves interpreting actions as negative, leading to increased anger. For instance, a smile might indicate a person’s love, while a negative interpretation could indicate a tendency toward always thinking the worst. This can lead to misinterpretation and negative perceptions of others.
Key aims for anger management
Novaco (2011) has identified three main aims of AM:
- Cognitive reconstructing (greater self-awareness and control over the cognitive aspect of anger
- Regulation of arousal (learning to control psychological state)
- Behavioural strategies (problem-solving skills and assertiveness)
Effectiveness: Success of anger management programmes
Novaco (2006) reported 75% improvement rates based on 6 metanalyses. Lipsey (2005) analysed 58 studies using CBT with offenders, 20 of these studies looked at therapies where anger control element was signficantly related
Stress inoculation model
Stress inoculation training is a form of CBT that aims to provide a kind of vaccination against future ‘infections’. Tend to be conducted with a group of offenders e.g. during probation.
1. Conceptualisation- clients learn about anger generally. They also analyse their anger and they identify what provokes them.
2. Skill acquisition - clients are taught various skills to help manage their anger e.g. mediation.
3. Application- Appy the skills learn in a controlled and non-threatening environment such as role-play.
Effectiveness: Success of anger management programme
Novaco (2006) report 75% improvement rates based on 6 meta analyses and Lipsey (2005) analyses 58 studies using CBT with offenders, 20o f these studies looked at therapies where anger control was a key component. They found that having an anger control element was significantly related to amount of improvement.
Effectiveness: Limitations of anger management programmes
CBT in general isn’t for everyone, some offenders don’t like to reflect on their style of thinking. One alternative is to use drama based courses which are less reliant on verbal ability and more engaging. A number of such course were proven successful (Blacker et al, 2008). Research on assessing readiness to change before starting an anger management program can help cope with dropouts. (Howells and Day, 2003).
Effectiveness: Relationship between anger, aggression and crime
One issue considered is whether anger and aggression are related. If anger doesn’t contribute to aggression then anger management may be irrelevant. Loza and Fanous (1999) claimed that research linked to anger and crime is based on lab studies using students. In their study of almost 300 males in prison they found no differences between violent and non violent criminals in terms of anger. They suggested that one danger of anger management programmes can be harmful because offenders attribute their violent behaviors to anger rather than take personal responsibility.
Social implications: Benefits for prison environments
AM has benefits for prison staff and other prisoners when used in prison environments. They have the potential to reduce violence and aggression, if we accept that anger and aggression are linked. Even without the link of aggression and violence, anger it self creates a hostile atmosphere.
Social implications: Financial implications
The cost to the economy of reoffending is at least £ 9.5 billion per year. Any method that may reduce even a small amount of offending or reoffending must offer benefits to society. If offenders learn to control their anger better once released from prison this may prevent them committing further crimes.
Ethical implications: Lack of voluntary consent
Offenders are required to take part in an anger management programme as a condition of their probation. This is against the ethical code for therapists. Ethical issues are also a balance between cost and benefits so the cost to valid consent could be weighed against the benefit for individuals and society through anger reduction.
Ethical implications: Therapist conflict
When therapeutic interventions are used in prisons there are conflicts for a therapist because they have a duty to the institution and their client. For example, a client might tell the therapist information that could threaten the security of the prison or may confess details of crimes they have committed.
