Dealing with Offending Behaviour - Anger Management

Question 1

Anger Management (AM)

Answer 1

Novaco (1975) - suggested cognitive factors trigger emotional arousal which precedes aggressive acts

• AM is a form of CBT - teaches individual how to recognise when they are losing control + develop techniques to achieve conflict resolution w/o violence

Question 2

Aims of AM - Short + Long Term

Answer 2

Short - to reduce anger and aggression in prisons - inmates have hostile attribution bias

Long - rehabilitation + reduction of recidivism (reoffending)

Question 3

Stage 1 of Anger Management - Cognitive Preparation

Answer 3

Reflect on past experiences to identify situations which act as a trigger

• if offender’s interpretation of events is irrational - therapist suggest other interpretations

Question 4

Stage 2 of Anger Management - Skill Acquisition

Answer 4

Learning to deal with situations

• cognitive restructuring: greater self awareness + control cognitive dimensions of anger
• regulation of arousal: learning to control physiological state
• behavioural strategies : problem solving skills, strategic withdrawal

Question 5

Stage 3 of Anger Management - Application Practice

Answer 5

Practising skills in a carefully monitored environment
- role play of offender + therapist reenacting scenarios

Question 6

(S) Benefits outlast behaviour management

Answer 6

• Tackles causes of offending e.g. cog. processes that trigger anger / offending behaviour
• May give offender new insight into causes of offending => discovers management skills outside of prison

Suggests => AM is more likely to lead to permanent behaviour change

Question 6

(L) Counter to benefits outlasting behaviour management - Blackburn (1993)

Answer 6

Has an effect on offenders in short term
=> it may not help cope with triggers in real life

Suggests => anger management may not reduce reoffending

Question 7

(L) Success depends on individual factors - Howells (2005)

Answer 7

• Participation in AM had little overall impact when compared to a control without treatment
• Progress was made in offenders w/ intense anger prior + motivation to change - treatment readiness

Suggests => anger management may only benefit certain profile of offenders

Question 8

(L) Anger Management is Expensive

Answer 8

• Requires highly trained specialists who are used to dealing w/ violent offenders
  => many prisons don’t have the resources
• Change takes time + commitment thus adding top expense of delivering program effectively

Suggests => effective anger management programs are likely not going to work in prisons