Criminal Behaviours - Methods Of Modifying Behaviours: Anger Management Flashcards
What is the general idea behind anger management
- prison = punishment, it doesn’t stop people from Recidivism (the tendency for a convicted criminal to reoffend)
- Anger management is a type of CBT: if we can get them to handle and understand their anger better (e.g. what their triggers are) = they’re less aggressive = less likely to reoffend.
- Raymond Novaco created the idea of anger management strategies for offenders. His main 2 aims of anger management are:
—> The short term aim is to reduce anger and aggression in prisons where it is a serious issue. Novaco (2013) describes prisons as ‘efficient anger factories’ due to the social climate (violent inmates, overcrowding, etc…)
—> The long term aim is rehabilitation and reduction of recidivism, especially the case for violent prisoners
What are the 3 main components to talk about when describing anger management
- Key aims
- Anger in prisons
- Stress inoculation model
Describe the key aims of anger management
- As this is a cognitive approach the aim is to change the way a person handles anger and aggression – the situation itself may not be changeable but the person can change the way they think about it and thus change their behaviour.
- Novaco (2011) has identified 3 key aims for anger management programmes:
1) Cognitive restructuring – greater self awareness of how you think and control over cognitive dimensions of anger
2) Regulation of arousal – learning to control the physiological state/reaction when feeling anger and aggression.
3) Behavioural strategies – such as problem-solving skills, strategic withdrawal and assertiveness
Describe how anger in prisons relates to anger management
- Criminals have hostile attribution bias which is a cognitive distortion that makes them turn to crime.
- The negative interpretations are going to increase their anger.
- So anger management aims to reduce that anger through changing their hostile attribution bias
Describe how the stress inoculation model relates to anger management
- programmes are based on work by Novaco (1975, 1977), drawing on stress inoculation training, a form of CBT
- Stress inoculation aims to provide a kind of vaccination against future ‘infections’. The therapy tends to be conducted with a group of offenders either inside prison or outside, e.g. during probation. The 3 key steps are:
1) Conceptualisation - clients learn about anger generally (e.g. where it comes from), how it can be both adaptive and non-adaptive.
- They analyse their own patterns of anger and identify situations which provoke anger in them, like what is and what are your triggers.
2) Skill acquisition (and rehearsal) - clients are taught various skills to help manage their anger, such as self-regulation, cognitive flexibility and relaxation.
- They are also taught better communication skills so they can resolve conflicts assertively without being angry
3) Application (and follow through) - clients apply the skills initially in controlled and non-threatening situations such as role plays of situations that previously made them angry.
- They receive extensive feedback from the therapist and other group members. Later clients can try out their skills in real world settings.
When evaluating this therapy’s effectiveness, what do you talk about
- supportive research
- not appropriate for all
- doesn’t remove the cause
Evaluate the effectiveness of anger management: supporting evidence
P: Anger management is effective because there is strong supporting research demonstrating its success in reducing anger.
E: For example, John Taylor and Raymond Novaco (2006) reported a 75% improvement rate based on six meta-analyses, while Nana Landenberger and Mark Lipsey (2005) found that anger control elements in CBT were significantly related to greater improvement in offenders.
T: The presence of such consistent supporting evidence suggests that anger management is an effective intervention for reducing anger and aggression, particularly in offender populations.
COUNTER: However, not all research has been as positive, with Kevin Howells et al. (2005) citing five meta-analyses showing only moderate benefits, and Law (1997) reporting that only one person improved in their study. This suggests that while anger management can be effective, its success may vary depending on individual differences or programme implementation.
Evaluate the effectiveness of anger management: not appropriate for all
P: Anger management therapy is not effective for all individuals, as some offenders struggle with self-reflection and may drop out of voluntary programmes.
E: Research by Blacker et al. (2008) has shown that alternative interventions, such as drama-based courses, can be more engaging and effective for those who find traditional anger management unsuitable.
T: This suggests that the therapy’s effectiveness is limited, as its structured, reflective nature does not accommodate all offenders, meaning valuable resources may be wasted on those unlikely to benefit.
COUNTER: However, a potential solution is to assess an individual’s readiness to change before enrolling them in a programme (Howells and Day, 2003). Tools like the Anger Readiness to Change Questionnaire can help ensure that only those who are likely to engage receive treatment, improving overall success rates.
Evaluate the effectiveness of anger management: doesn’t remove the cause
P: Anger management therapy may not always be effective in reducing criminal behavior because anger itself may not be the root cause of aggression and crime.
E: Research by Loza and Loza-Fanous (1999) challenges the assumption that anger leads to criminal violence, as their study of nearly 300 male prisoners found no significant differences in anger levels between violent and non-violent offenders.
T: This suggests that targeting anger in therapy may be ineffective, as aggression and violent crime can occur without anger being a primary factor, as also supported by Howells et al. (2005). If anger is not a necessary or sufficient cause of aggression, then treating it may not address the real motivations behind criminal acts, rendering anger management an ineffective intervention for many offenders.
COUNTER: However, it could be argued that anger management still has value for some individuals, particularly those whose aggression is closely linked to anger issues. Additionally, the skills learned in anger therapy, such as emotional regulation and cognitive restructuring, may have broader benefits beyond just reducing aggression.
When evaluating the ethical issues of anger management, what do you talk about
- voluntary consent
- psychological harm
- therapist conflict
Evaluate the ethical issues of anger management: voluntary consent
P: Anger management can be considered unethical due to the issue of voluntary consent.
E: One of the core ethical principles in psychological therapy is respect for autonomy, yet offenders are often coerced into anger management as part of their sentence, with refusal potentially leading to an extended prison term or a return to custody. This undermines their right to free will, as they are not given genuine consent to participate.
T: Without the ability to make an informed and voluntary choice, the therapy becomes ethically questionable, as it violates the principle that individuals should not be forced into psychological interventions.
COUNTER: However, a counterargument is that anger management ultimately aims to benefit both the individual and society by reducing aggressive behavior and recidivism. While consent is compromised, the potential for rehabilitation and public safety could be seen as outweighing the ethical concern, making it a necessary intervention in the criminal justice system.
Evaluate the ethical issues of anger management: psychological harm
P: Another ethical issue with anger management is that it may cause psychological harm to offenders, making it an unethical form of treatment.
E: Watt et al. (1999) found that some offenders undergoing anger management reported increased distress when reflecting on their past violent actions.
T: This suggests that forcing individuals to confront the harm they have caused—especially those with pre-existing mental health conditions—could lead to severe emotional distress, increasing their risk of depression, self-harm, or even suicide, which are already more prevalent in prison populations.
COUNTER: However, a counterpoint is that anger management aims to provide long-term benefits by helping offenders develop healthier coping mechanisms. While the process may be distressing, the overall goal is rehabilitation, which could ultimately reduce future harm to both the offender and society.
Evaluate the ethical issues of anger management: therapist conflict
P: Anger management therapy may be considered unethical due to therapist conflict in a prison setting.
E: Therapists have a duty to both the prison system and the prisoner, creating an ethical dilemma when prisoners disclose information about potential attacks. prisoners may be less likely to fully engage in anger management programs if they felt their confidentiality could be breached.
T: This suggests that if prisoners fear their disclosures will be reported to prison staff, they may withhold information or disengage, reducing the effectiveness of the therapy as well as also making future sessions incredibly awkward and stressful for the prisoner knowing that their confidentiality is never truly 100%.
COUNTER: However, a counterargument is that breaching confidentiality in such cases is necessary to prevent harm to others, meaning that the ethical principle of protecting potential victims outweighs the prisoner’s right to privacy.
When evaluating the social implications, what do you talk about
- reduce the cost of crime
- less hostile prisons
Evaluate the social implications of anger management: reduce cost of crime
P: One strength of anger management programs is their potential to reduce recidivism rates, thereby decreasing the overall costs associated with crime in the UK.
E: A recent report by the Policy Exchange think tank estimates that crime costs the UK up to £250 billion annually, equivalent to 10% of the GDP as published by the times newspaper.
T: By addressing underlying issues such as anger and aggression, anger management programs can help rehabilitate offenders, leading to lower reoffending rates. This reduction in recidivism can result in significant economic savings for society, as fewer resources would be required for law enforcement, legal proceedings, and incarceration.
Counter: However, it may just increase financial burdens on prisons which already struggle with funding as it is
Evaluate the social implications of anger management: less hostile prison envrionment
P: Implementing anger management programs in prisons can lead to less hostile environments, thereby enhancing the safety and well-being of both inmates and correctional staff.
E: The Resolve to Stop Violence Project (RSVP) in San Francisco has demonstrated that such interventions can significantly reduce violent behavior among inmates, contributing to a safer prison atmosphere.
T: By providing inmates with tools to manage their anger and aggression, these programs help decrease incidents of violence within the prison. A reduction in hostility not only protects other prisoners from potential harm but also ensures a safer working environment for correctional officers, leading to improved overall prison operations and morale.
Counter: However, the success of these programs depends on factors such as the quality of implementation and the willingness of inmates to participate, which can vary across different correctional facilities
Evaluate the social implications of anger management: equipping them for re-integration with society
P: A further benefit of anger management programs is their role in preparing inmates to become better future employees upon release by equipping them with techniques to cope with anger.
E: The Last Mile, a prison rehabilitation program, reports that 85% of its graduates secure employment within six months of release, attributing success to comprehensive training that includes emotional regulation skills.
T: By learning to manage anger effectively, former inmates are better prepared to handle workplace challenges, maintain stable employment, and reintegrate into society successfully. This not only benefits the individuals but also contributes to economic productivity and reduces the likelihood of reoffending.
Counter: However, securing employment post-release also depends on external factors such as employer biases and the availability of support networks, which anger management programs alone cannot address.
