anger management Flashcards
definition
active intervention aiming to help control anger. based on principle of cognitive approach that cognitions (thoughts n beliefs) cause emotions
-holistic approach
-National anger management package is an example-keen 2000 found positive outcomes via use of it w young male offenders
cognitive behavioural therapy
-teaches offenders to recognise thoughts that make them angry in 3 stages:
1. cognitive preperation: reflect back on times when theyve been angry n identify triggers
2. skills acquisition: teach skills to manage anger in anger inducing situations eg breathing n self talk
3. application practice: they engage in role-play to test degree to which they can use new skills in practice
during cbt: may be asked to keep diary, self report methods, checklist etc
key study
ireland 2000
-sample of 50 prisoners completed an am course while control of 37 prisoners were assesed but no course.
-measures taken before n after + incl cb interview focused on anger, the wing behavioural checklist completed by prisoner officers regarding anger displayed in previous week before course n an assesment questionnaire
-in group 1 mean anger fell from 42.7 before cbt to 27.3 after. cg ratings didnt change alot
-all who did course showed decrease in self reported anger as well as lower levels of anger reported in wbc
ao3
conflicting evidence+indivual differences
howells
-howells et al 2005 studied anger in aussie offenders before n after am
-they showed reduced anger levels compared to control group BUT wasnt statistically significant difference
-suggest am dont lower anger levels n unlikely to prevent recidivism
-also indivual diff in this study as some had significant progress who had intyense anger before amp. also those open to change n highly motivated fro. outset experienced similar gains
ao3
better than behaviour mod
-am tries to tackle one of causes of offending=cognitive processes that trigger anger +thus offending behaviour. whereas behaviour mod only deals w surface behaviour n not processes that drive it
-may give offenders insight into cause of criminaloty+allow them to self discover ways of managing themselves out of prison setting
ao3 counterpoint
follow up studies dont support assumption /only short term
-blackburn 1993 points out whilst am may have noticable effect on conduct of offenders in st theres v little evidence it reduces recidivism in long term
-this may be bc application phase of treatment still relies on role pay which might not properly refelct all possible triggers that r present in real world sistuation
=am not reduce reoffending
ao3
self report methods
-prisoners succumb to social desirability bias diff to general pop
-eg may over report own acts of violence to precieve more threatening
-may also take part in am as a way to get out of cells n break prison life routine
=responses lack sincerity n thus invalidates whole process
