Dealing With Offending Behaviour: AM

Question 1

Describe the aim cognitive behaviour treatment

Answer 1

To lear how to recognise when losing control and deal with this in a non-violent way

Question 2

What are the 3 stages

Answer 2

1. Cognitive preparation
2. Skill acquisition
3. Application practice

Question 3

Describe cognitive preparation

Answer 3

1. Offender reflects on past experiences of anger
2. Identifies trigger situations
3. Break automatic response

Question 4

Describe skill acquisition

Answer 4

1. Range of techniques to deal with anger situations more rationally
2. Techniques may be cognitive (positive self talk), behavioural (training to communicate more effectively), and physiological (relaxation to control emotions)

Question 5

Describe application practice

Answer 5

1. Role play to practice skill of aggressive situation

2. If successful, positively reinforces no-violent behaviour

Question 6

Keen study

Answer 6

1. Studied offenders ages 17-21 who partook in nationally recognised AM programme in prisons
2. 8, 2 hour sessions
3. Reported increased awareness of their anger and increased capacity for self control

Question 7

Comparison with behavioural modification

Answer 7

1. Focuses on cause of offending rather than superficial aspects
2. New insight into cause of criminality
3. Permanent change to behaviour and less chance of recidivism

Question 8

Limited long-term effectiveness

Answer 8

1. No evidence for long-term effectiveness
2. Relies heavily on role play that does not reflect triggers
3. Very different context

Question 9

It’s expensive

Answer 9

1. Post prisons can’t afford to hire a psychologist
2. Most cannot access
3. A lot of prisoners do not properly engage