anger management

• What is anger management?

  It is a way of dealing with offending behaviour outside and within prisons.
• What type of therapy is anger management based on?

  It is based on cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT).
• Who proposed the assumption that cognitive factors cause emotions triggering aggression?

  Novaco proposed this assumption.
• How might some criminals be cognitively vulnerable in anxiety-provoking situations?

  Their thought patterns may trigger anger, which leads to aggression.
• What do individuals feel they gain by aggressing?

  They feel they gain control, which is positively reinforcing.
• What can criminals learn through anger management programmes?

  They can learn to rationalise thinking in anxiety-provoking situations and minimise negative emotional effects.
• What are the three stages of anger management training (AMT)?


  1. Cognitive Preparation
  2. Skill Acquisition
  3. Application Practice
• What age group did Keen et al study in their research on AMT?

  They studied young offenders aged 17-21.
• What were the results of Keen et al's study after eight weeks of AMT?

  Offenders reported increased awareness of their anger management difficulties and increased self-control.
• How does anger management training (AMT) differ from behaviour modification (BM)?

  AMT tackles the thought processes and emotions behind offending, while BM has no use outside of prison.
• What four levels does AMT tackle in offenders?

  It tackles thoughts, emotions, behaviour, and physiology.
• What does Blackburn (1993) believe hinders the long-term success of AMT?

  He believes it is hindered by phase three, where offenders only role-play rather than engage in real-world support.
• How could the effectiveness of AMT be improved according to Blackburn?

  If a therapist could be present in real-life anxiety settings for practice.
• What challenge do psychologists present to Novaco’s assumption about thoughts triggering negative emotions and behaviour?

  They found no difference in levels of anger between violent and non-violent offenders.
• What criticism do some psychologists have regarding the theory and treatment of AMT?

  They suggest it gives offenders an excuse for their behaviour.
• What is a notable fact about the motivation of offenders regarding AMT?

  Offenders need to be incredibly motivated to engage with the treatment.
• What is a significant issue with the prison service regarding AMT?

  The prison service lacks the funds to run the treatment effectively.
• Why is the number of offenders a challenge for AMT implementation?

  Prisons are overrun with offenders who need the treatment.
• what does cognitive preparation involve?

  reflecting on past experiences

  identifying patterns in behavior

  rationalising thinking behind triggers
• what does skill acquisition involve?

  Learning skills to deal with anger/anxiety

  Cognitive training (e.g., positive self-talk)

  Physiological training (e.g., meditation/relaxation)
• what does application practice involve?

  Therapist intentionally provoking the criminal in order to practice skills learned in stage 2 in role-play situations