Anger Management

Question 1

What did Novaco suggest?

Answer 1

Cognitive factors trigger emotional arousal that comes before aggressive acts. In some people anger is quick to surface in ‘threatening’ situations.

Recognised cognitive factors that trigger anger and loss of control.

Question 2

List the three stages of anger management

Answer 2

Cognitive preparation

Skill acquisition

Application practice

Question 3

What is involved in stage one (cognative preparation)

Answer 3

Offender will reflect on past experience and identify triggers to anger and interpretations on how events are irrational.

Question 4

Explain what happens in stage 2 (skill acquisition)

Answer 4

Offenders introduced to a range of techniques and skills helping with anger management. Eg. Cognitive, behavioural, psychological

Question 5

Explain what happens in stage 3 (application practice)

Answer 5

Opportunity to role play and practice skills

Question 6

Describe Keen et al’s research

Answer 6

Offenders aged 17-21 took part
Initial difficulties by end increased awareness of anger and capacity for self control.

Question 7

Describe how anger management is better then behaviour modification (AO3)

Answer 7

Tries to tackle one of the causes of offending.
Cognitive process —> trigger anger —> offending

Give offenders insight into causes of criminality allowing self discovery of managing themselves.

Question 8

Describe one counter point of why anger management is better than behaviour modification (AO3)

Answer 8

Blackburn:
Follow up studies show anger management has a short term effect not long term.
May be because it relies heavily on role play not real life.

Question 9

Explain how anger management is expensive (AO3)

Answer 9

Expensive to run as requires trained specialists used to dealing with violent offenders. Many prisoners cannot find these programmes and is based on commitment so can be a problem if they don’t commit.