Dealing with offending behaviour - Anger management

Question 1

What is anger management

Answer 1

programs assume that aggressive emotional responses are cognitive processes and can be controlled with a form of cognitive behavioural therapy. This provides techniques offenders can use in future stressful situations.

Question 2

3 stages of anger management programs

Answer 2

Stage1: cognitive preparation stage

Stage2: skills acquisition

Stage3: application practise

Question 3

What is the first stage of anger management program

Answer 3

Cognitive preparation - offenders learn how to assess their own thoughts for triggers of irrational aggressive emotion.

Examples from their lives are used and reinterpreted

Question 4

What is the second stage of anger management program

Answer 4

Skills acquisition - ways to control anger are developed, from calming/ relaxation exercises to improving communication skills to avoid conflict

Question 5

What is the third stage of anger management program

Answer 5

Application practise - therapist and offender play out role play scenarios that would have caused an aggressive response. Offender uses skills developed in stage 2 to stay calm

Question 6

Anger management program strength

Answer 6

Ireland tested a group-based anger management program. Self report questionnaires were completed before and after the intervention, and behavioural checklist reports from prison staff. 48% of the experimental group showed improvement on both measures with biggest improvement in most aggressive

Skills developed in anger management programs can be applied outside of the prison, potentially helping prisoners retain employment and relationships

Question 7

Anger management program limitation

Answer 7

Research using self reports often has the problem of social desirability bias. In this type of study, the risks are much higher as prisoners may hope for early release