Anger management

• Anger management

  • Involves identifying signs that trigger anger as well as learning techniques to calm down and deal with the situation in a positive way.
  • The aim of anger management is to recognise and manage it.
  • It helps encourage self-awareness and facilitates rehabilitation.
• Cognitive behavioural therapy

  • Novaco, suggested cognitive factors trigger emotional arousal which leads to aggressive acts.
  • In some people, anger arises in anxiety-inducing or stressful situations.
  • based on behaviourism, anger is reinforced by the individuals feeling of control in the situation
  • Anger management is a form of CBT
• How does an individual use CBT in anger management?

  • The individual recognises cognitive factors which trigger anger and develop techniques which bring conflict resolution without violence.
• 3 stages of anger management

  • Cognitive preparation
  • Skills acquisition
  • Application practice
• Cognitive preparation

  • Offender reflects of past experiences and considers the typical pattern of their behaviour
  • Offender learns to identify a situation which triggers anger
  • If the offender interprets the events irrationally, the therapist will aim to challenge it.
  • For example, offenders may interpret someone looking at them as an act of confrontation. Therapist will aim to break he automatic response of anger.
• Skills acquisition

  • Offenders are introduced to a range of technique which help deal with anger provoking situations.
  • Techniques may include:
  • Cognitive: Positive self-talk to encourage calmness
  • Behavioural: Assertiveness training in how to communicate effectively.
  • Physiological: Use relaxation training and meditation to control emotions
• Application practice

  • Offenders are given the opportunity to practice their skills in a carefully controlled environment
  • For example, acting out a role play which involves the therapist and offender to re-enact scenarios which may lead to anger and violence.
  • Therapist needs to be brave to wind up the offender.
  • If the offender deals successfully with role play, they are given positive reinforcement by the therapist.
• Positive outcome of anger management with young offenders

  • Keen et al, studied progress made with young offenders between the ages of 17-21 who took part in a nationally recognised anger management programme.
  • The national anger management package was developed by England and Wales prison service
  • Course consists of 8X2 hour sessions over a 3 week period And 1 a month after.
  • Initial issues was offenders not taking the course seriously, individuals forgetting routines, such as bringing their diary.
  • Offenders reported increased awareness of anger management difficulties and self control.
• Individual differences effect usefulness

  • Howells et al, found anger management had little impact on Australian participants who participated in the programme, compared to a control group. But this was not true for all offenders.
  • Significant progress was made with offenders who showed intense levels of anger before the programme. Also, offenders who were open to change and motivated experienced similar gains.
  • Therefore anger management may only benefit offenders who experience extreme levels of anger or ready to make changes.
• Expensive

  • Anger management programmes require the service of highly trained specialists who are used to deal with violent offenders. Many prisons may not have the resources to fund such programmes.
  • Additionally, the success of the programme depends on the commitment of those who participate and could be a problem is prisoners are uncooperative or apathetic.
  • Therefore, anger management may not work in all prisons.
• There isn’t always a link between anger and offending

  • Loza and Loza-Fanous, found no differences in levels of anger between offenders who are classed as violent and those classed as non-violent.
  • Additionally, it is unlikely that many offences such as fraud is fuelled by anger. In top-down offender profiling an offender is described as calm at the crime scene. They also suggested anger management programmes provide offenders with a justification for their behaviour,
  • So it cannot be applied to all offenders.