anger management

Question 1

How is aggression a cognitive thing?

Answer 1

Cognitive factors trigger emotional arousal which precedes aggression

Question 2

How do anger management programmes work?

Answer 2

Becoming angry is reinforced by feeling of control

CBT - individual is taught to recognise loss of control, encouraged to deal with this differently

Question 3

What are the stages of anger management?

Answer 3

Cognitive preparation
Skill acquisition
Application practice

Question 4

What is cognitive preparation?

Answer 4

Offender reflects on past and considers anger patterns
Identifies triggers - therapist tells them these are irrational
Breaks the automatic response

Question 5

What is skill acquisition?

Answer 5

Given range of techniques to deal with triggering situation
Cognitive - positive self talk to encourage calmness
Behavioural - assertiveness to communicate effectively
Physiological - methods of relaxation
Promotes idea that offender is in control

Question 6

What is application practice?

Answer 6

Practice skills in monitored environment
Role play involving reenacting escalated scenarios
Commitment - must see scenario as real
Success = positive reinforcement

Question 7

Describe Keen’s research

Answer 7

Anger management with offenders 17-21
Initial issues - didn’t take it seriously, forgetting routines
Generally positive outcome - awareness of anger, increased self control

Question 8

Evaluation - eclectic approach

Answer 8

Works on many levels
Cognitive preparation to identify anger
Behavioural techniques
Social demonstration
Acknowledges complexity

Question 9

Evaluation - comparison with behaviour modification

Answer 9

Tackles the cause of offending rather than superficial behaviour
Gives offenders insight into cause of crime
Reduces recidivism

Question 10

Evaluation - limited long term effectiveness

Answer 10

Short term only

Relies on artificial role play - doesn’t reflect real life triggers

Question 11

Evaluation - anger may not cause offending

Answer 11

Assumes causal relationship between anger and offending
Loza - found no differences in levels of anger between violent and non violent offenders
Anger management misguided because it provides offenders with justification
Some aren’t motivated by anger - fraud

Question 12

Evaluation - expensive and requires commitment

Answer 12

Needs highly trained specialists
Prisons can’t fund this
Based on commitment of prisoners