Anger management

• What does anger management help with dealing with offender behaviour?

  Dealing with offending behaviour is by changing the way offenders think about things, and in particular, how they respond with anger to certain situations.

  • This type of cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT).
• Anger management info

  Raymond Novaco (1975)

  A therapeutic programme offered to identify triggers and allow offenders to deal with the situation in a positive and calm manner. Anger is often quick to surface in situations that are perceived to be threatening or anxiety inducing.
• How does CBT a form of anger management?

  Cognitive Behaviour Therapy: Cognitive factors triggers the emotional arousal which generally precedes aggressive acts. Becoming angry is reinforced by an individual's feeling of control within that situation.

  Anger management is a form of CBT - offenders recognise triggers and implement cognitive techniques that deal peacefully with the situation whilst avoiding anger.
• How does cognitive preparation help with anger management?

  The offender reflects on their past experience of anger and triggers. The therapist will aim to identify if the response is irrational and aim to break an irrational automatic response in future.
• How does skill acquisition help with anger management?

  Offenders are introduced to a range of techniques and skills to help them deal with the triggers more effectively.

  • Cognitive skills: positive self-talk
  • Behavioural: assertiveness training to help them communicate more effectively.
  • Physiological: methods of relaxation and/or meditation
• How does application practice help with anger management?

  Offenders are given the opportunity to practice their skills within a monitored environment using role-play. The successful response would be met with positive reinforcement from therapist.
• What is a limitation of anger management?

  Not generalisable

  • Can't be an intervention for all types of crime. Only works for people with a history of anger. So only people who have done violent crimes can benefit from this.
• What is a limitation of anger management?

  Costly

  • Need to hire a professional and have the correct training. It cannot be carried out by any random and untrained guards.
• What is a limitation of anger management?

  Negative applications / time consuming

  • Can be quite time consuming. It needs a number of meetings to take effect. Offender also needs to be willing to make a change.
• What is a limitation of anger management?

  Role-play can be dangerous

  • Role-playing involves trying to trigger an angry reaction from the offender to put the practises in place. Can explain a person to a potentially dangerous and violent criminal which is not very ethical.
• What is a limitation of anger management?

  Role-play lacks mundane realism

  • The offender is aware that the situation is pretend so they may not get a proper anger reaction and implement the strategies effectively. It also cannot replicate real-life - anger inducing situations (e.g., drunken altercation on a saturday night).
• What is a strength of anger management?

  Consistency

  • Research shows consistency strong support for the advantages of anger management programmes in prison.