forensics: dealing with offending behaviour- anger management programmes Flashcards
define anger management programmes
a form of CBT aimed at identifying cognitive factors triggering anger and learning conflict resolution techniques to deal with the situation in a positive way, doesn’t prevent anger but learns to recognise and manage it
who is the key psychologist associated with anger management programmes?
Novaco (1975)
give an example of an anger management programme
CALM- controlling anger and learning to manage it
what is it that triggers aggression according to Novaco? (1975)
cognitive factors e.g. hostile attribution bias - heightened emotional arousal = aggression
how is anger positively reinforced?
by feeling in control
what are the three stages of anger management (in order) ?
- cognitive preparation
- skills acquisition
- application practice
explain cognitive preperation
offenders reflect on past experiences to find a pattern of anger and identify triggers, if offender displays irrational thoughts then therapist challenges them to redefine the situation in order to break automatic response
explain skills acquisition. what are the three types of skills that offenders learn?
learning a range of techniques to deal with provoking situations rationally and effectively:
physiological = dealing with physical reaction to anger
behavioural = assertiveness training to teach effective communication
cognitive= positive self-talk to encourage calmness
explain application practice. how are they treated if they are successful?
practicing newly learnt skills in controlled environment through role-play: re-enact triggering scenarios , given positive reinforcement by therapist if successful
outline research into anger management programmes in youth prisons
Keen et al (2000) studied youth offenders (17-21 yo) who took part in the national anger management package, offenders had 8 two hour sessions , the first 7 over a three-week period and one session a month later, he found initially that offenders did not take the course seriously and forgot important elements for the programme, however it generally led to positive outcomes: offenders reported increased awareness of their anger management programmes and increased capacity to exercise self control
ao3: what supporting evidence is there for anger management programmes?
Ireland (2004) - found when comparing offenders who took part in the national anger management package programme with a non-treatment control group that the offenders showed significantly more improvement. 92% improved on at least one measure of behaviour compared to 48% of controls
ao3: why might anger management programmes be a better way of dealing with offending behaviour than behaviour modification?
anger management aims to tackle the underlying cognitive causes of offending such as hostile attribution bias , rather than just reducing the instances of undesirable, more likely to lead to a permanent change and positive outcomes
ao3: what evidence is there that anger management may not lower recidivism rates? why is this a limitation?
Blackburn (1993) found whilst anger management did have a positive effect on the behaviour of offenders in the short term, it did not actually reduce the reoffending rates in the long term, counteracts the claim that suggests anger management may be the most effective long-term way of dealing with offending behaviour
ao3: how is anger management expensive? why is this a limitation?
in order to implement in custody, it requires the service of highly trained specialists for a long period of time who are used to dealing with violent offenders, programme best implemented when 1:1, limitation as prison service highly under-funded and is likely to be unable to be able to afford to invest in anger management programmes
