Dealing with Offender Behaviour: Anger Management Programmes Flashcards
What did psychologists suggest about the role of cognitive factors in aggression?
Psychologists suggested that cognitive factors trigger emotional arousal, which often precedes aggressive acts. He argued that nager is quick to surface in some individuals, especially in anxiety - inducing or threatening situations
How does anger become reinforced in behaviourist terms?
In behaviourist terms, anger is reinforced because it provides the individual with a sense of control over the situation. This reinforcement increases the likelihood of anger occurring again in similar situations
How do anger management programmes use Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)?
Anger management programmes use CBT by teaching individuals to recognise when they are losing control and encouraging them to develop techniques that help resolve conflicts without resorting to
violence
What is the main goal of anger management as a form of CBT?
The main goal of anger management as a form of CBT is to help individuals regulate their emotional responses by identifying triggers and learning effective conflict - resolution strategies
What are the three stages of anger management?
1/ Cognitive preparation
2/ Skill acquisition
3/ Application practice
What happens during cognitive preparation in anger management?
The offender reflects on past anger episodes, identifies triggers, and recognises patterns in their aggression
What is the therapist’s role in cognitive preparation?
The therapist challenges irrational beliefs about anger triggers and helps the offender develop a more rational perspective
How does cognitive preparation help reduce anger?
By redefining their perceived threats, cognitive preparation breaks the automatic aggressive responses, and encourages alternative thinking
Give an example of cognitive preparation in action. (eye contact)
An offender may see eye contact as a challenge, the therapist will help them view it as neutral, preventing an aggressive response.
What happens during the skill acquisition stage in anger management?
Offenders learn techniques to manage anger in a rational and controlled way
What are the cognitive and physiological techniques used in skill acquisition?
Techniques may be cognitive, involving positive self talk to encourage calmness and reduce aggression. The techniques can also be physiological, involving offenders being taught relaxation methods like meditation
How does skill acquisition help offenders?
Offenders are taught they can control their emotions instead of being ruled by them
What happens during the application practice stage in anger management?
Offenders practice their anger management skills in a controlled environment through role play
What is the purpose of role play in application practice?
It helps offenders apply learned skills to real - life scenarios that previously triggered anger
What is the therapist’s role in application practice?
The therapist re-enacts past anger - triggering situations and deliberately provokes the offender to assess their progress
Why is commitment important in application practice?
The offender must treat the scenarios as real to effectively practise and develop anger management skills
How is positive reinforcement used in application practice?
Offenders receive praise for successfully managing their anger, reinforcing their new skills
What is a strength of anger management programmes? (take holistic approach + address certain factors)
Compared to other programmes, such as behaviour modification in prison, anger management programmes take a holistic approach and aim to address cognitive behavioural and social factors that contribute to feelings of anger.
What is a strength of anger management programmes? (lead to permanent behavioral changes)
> Anger management programmes focus on changing irrational thoughts and equipping individuals with skills they could use in real life
> It provides offenders with new ways of thinking and new ways of managing themselves outside of prison
> Therefore, making this method of dealing with offender behaviour more likely to lead to permanent behavioural changes and lower rates of re - offending
What is a limitation of anger management programmes? (high levels of motivation required)
> Psychologists have argued against anger management programmes having permanent changes, stating there is little evidence that the programmes have lead to permanent long term changes
> This may be due to the third stage being based on artificial role playing activity, which participants may not take seriously
> Additionally, offenders require high levels of motivation and commitment to the programme, which may affect how successful the programme is
What is a limitation of anger management programme? (Keen et al + outcome positive)
> On the other hand, evidence from Keen et al reviewed the success of the National Anger Management Package developed by the England and Wales Prison Service
> They found although some offenders did not take the role playing seriously, the final outcome was positive because offenders reported greater awareness of irrational thoughts and ability to self control
