Anger management

• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy


  • A form of psychotherapy that involves a therapist working together with a patient to identify and challenge any faulty thinking styles.
  • It also involves teaching the client adaptive coping strategies.
  • Thus, addressing both cognitive and behavioural elements of a disorder
• Cognitive factors trigger arousal

  • Novaco - cognitive factors trigger emotional arousal which generally precedes aggressive acts
  • In some people, anger is quick to surface, especially in anxiety-inducing or threatening situations
• CBT - Triggers and skills

  • Becoming angry is reinforced by individual's feelings of control in that situation
  • Anger management programmes are a form of CBT - the individual is taught how to recognise the cognitive factors that trigger anger and loss of control and encouraged to develop techniques that conflict resolution without violence
• Cognitive preparation (calm people)

  • Identify situations that act as triggers to anger and make them clear
  • Redefining situations as non-threatening and breaking automatic response from offender
• Skills acquisition (should avoid)

  • Offenders introduced to techniques to help deal with anger:
  • Cognitive - Counting, positive self-talk
  • Behavioural - Effective communication training
  • Psychological - Breathing, meditation
• Application practice (angry people)

  • Offender and therapist reenact scenarios that may have caused anger
  • Requires commitment from offender and bravery from therapist to wind up offender to assess progress
  • If successful, positive reinforcement is given
• Positive outcomes


  • Keen et al. - young offenders aged 17-21 took part in nationally recognised anger management programme
  • 1992/95 - National Anger Management Package; England and Wales Prison Service
  • 8 two-hour sessions, first 7 over 3 weeks, last a month after
  • Initial issues - not taking seriously, forgetting routines
  • Final outcomes generally positive - increased awareness of anger management difficulties, increased capacity to exercise self-control