Anger Management Flashcards
Anger management
Identifying the signs that trigger anger and learning techniques to calm down and deal with the situation
Not to prevent , but to recognise and manage
Cognitive behavioural therapy
Novaco-Cognitive factors trigger emotional arousal leading to aggressive acts
Becoming angry is reinforced by the feeling of control of the situation
And the management is a form of CBT
Stage 1: cognitive preparation
Reflects on past experience and identify situations which trigger anger
Therapist makes it clear it’s irrational and redefines situation as non-threatening
Aims to break automatic response of anger
Stage 2: skills acquisition
Introduced to techniques and skills to help them deal with anger provoking situations
Cognitive -positive self talk encourages calmness e.g. count to 10
Behavioural -training in how to communicate better
Physiological -relaxation training meditation
Stage 3: application practice
Practice skills in safe and controlled environment-reenact scenarios that cause anger in past
Must see as a real scenario and if they do well it’s positively reinforced by the therapist
Positive outcomes with young offenders
Keen et al- studied progress age 17 to 21. 8 two hour anger management sessions. 7 in three weeks and the final a month later.
Didn’t take it serious at first but the final outcomes were generally positive
Increased awareness and ability to exercise self-control
Strength-tackles causes
Benefits last longer with behaviour modification as it tackles the cognitive processes that cause offending.
Gives an insight to the cause of their criminality and all allows them to discover ways to manage themselves
More likely to leave permanent change
Limitation-long-term effectiveness
Follow-up studies don’t support. Blackbum- little evidence for reducing recidivism in the long term
It’s role-play so it reflects on past triggers but not future.
Limitation-individual factors
Success depends on individual factors. Howells Australian offenders took part and little impact when compared to control group
Strength
Significant process was made by those from intense anger beforehand
Improvements in those open to change and who are highly motivated to succeed
Limitation-expense and commitment
Expensive option and requires highly trained specialists
Many prisons don’t have the resources to fund it
It is not successful in prisoners who are uncooperative
Strength-eclectic approach
It’s a multidisciplinary approach which acknowledges that offending is a complex social and physiological activity.
Limitation- anger may not be be cause of offending
Straightforward casual relationship between anger and offending is assumed
Loza-no difference in levels of anger between offenders classed as violent or non-violent.
Suggests anger management programs are damaging if they provide offenders with justification .
