Anger Management Flashcards
Cognitive Factors - Aggression
Novaco (1975) suggests that cognitive factors trigger the emotional arousal that comes before aggressive acts.
In some people, anger is quick to surface in situations they perceive to be threatening or anxiety-inducing.
Becoming angry is then reinforced by the individual’s feeling of control in that situation.
Anger Management - CBT
Anger management programmes are a form of cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT).
An individual is taught to:
* Recognise the cognitive factors that trigger their anger and loss of control.
* Develop behavioural techniques that bring about conflict resolution without the need for violence.
Stage 1: Cognitive Preparation
This stage 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.
For instance, the offender may interpret someone looking at them as confrontation. In redefining the situation as non-threatening, the therapist is attempting to break what may be an automatic response for the offender.
Stage 2: Skills Acquisition
Offenders are introduced to a range of techniques and skills to help them deal with anger-provoking situations.
Techniques may be:
• Cognitive - positive self-talk to promote calmness.
• Behavioural - assertiveness training to communicate more effectively (becomes automatic if practised).
• Physiological - methods of relaxation and/or meditation.
Stage 3: Application Practice
Offenders are given the opportunity to practise their skills in a carefully monitored environment.
For example, role play between the offender and therapist may involve re-enacting scenarios that led to anger and violence in the past.
If the offender deals successfully with the role play this is given positive reinforcement by the therapist.
Positive Outcomes
Keen et al. (2000) studied the progress of young offenders between 17 and 21 who took part in an anger management programme - 8 two-hour sessions.
Initially there were difficulties with the offenders forgetting their diaries and not taking it seriously.
By the end offenders generally reported increased awareness of their anger and capacity for self-control.
Strength of Anger Management
BETTER BENEFITS THAN BEHAVIOUR MODIFICATION
Unlike behaviour modification, anger management tackles the causes of offending, i.e. the cognitive processes
that trigger anger, and offending behaviour.
This may give offenders new insight into the
cause of their criminality, allowing them to
self-discover ways of managing themselves
outside of prison.
–> Suggests that anger management is more likely than behaviour modification to lead to permanent behavioural change.
Limitation of AM
SUCCESS DEPENDS ON INDIVIDUAL FACTORS
Progress was only made with offenders who showed intense levels of anger before the programme and offenders who were motivated to change (‘treatment readiness’).
–> This suggests that anger management may only benefit offenders who fit a certain profile.
Limitation of AM
EXPENSIVE
Anger management programmes require
highly-trained specialists who are used to dealing with violent offenders - Many prisons may not have the resources.
In addition, change takes time and commitment, and this is ultimately
likely to add to the expense of delivering
effective programmes.
–> Suggests effective anger management
programmes are probably not going to work in most prisons.
