Anger management

• Anger management – a therapeutic programme that involves identifying the 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 not to prevent anger but to recognise it and manage it. Anger management can be offered in prison to encourage self-awareness and facilitate rehabilitation.
• What is anger management?

  a therapeutic programme that involves identifying the signs that trigger anger as well as learning techniques to calm down and deal with the situation in a positive way
• What is the aim of anger management?

  To recognise and manage anger, not to prevent it

  
  

  Anger management can be offered in prison to encourage self awareness and facilitate rehabilitation
• What did Richard Novaco 1975 suggest causes aggressive behaviour?


  He suggests that cognitive factors trigger the emotional arousal which generally precedes aggressive acts
• How is becoming angry reinforced in behaviourist terms?

  Becoming angry is reinforced by the individual's feeling of control in that situation
• What is anger management a form of?

  CBT
• What are the three stages of anger management?

  Cognitive preparation, skill acquisition, application practice
• What is a mnemonic that can be used to remember the three stages of anger management?

  Calm people should avoid angry people
• Describe the process of cognitive preparation

  Requires the offender to reflect on past experiences and consider the atypical pattern of their anger and learns to identify triggers
• During the process of cognitive preparation, what is the therapist's role?

  If the offender interprets the events as irrational, the therapist's role is to redefine the situation as non threatening

  
  

  An attempt is made to break this automatic aggressive response
• Describe the process of skills acquisition


  Offenders are introduced to a range of techniques and skills to help them deal with anger-provoking situations more rationally and effectively
• What are some cognitive techniques that may be involved in the process of skills acquisition?

  Positive self talk
• What are some behavioural techniques that may be involved in the process of skills acquisition?

  assertiveness training in how to communicate more effectively which will become an automatic response if practised regularly
• What are some physiological techniques that may be involved in the process of skills acquisition?,


  Deals with physical reaction to anger such as using relaxation training or meditation. Aim is to control one's emotions rather than being controlled by them
• Describe the process of application practice in anger management?

  Offenders are given the opportunity to practice their skills within a carefully controlled environment

  
  

  Role play is used to re-enact scenarios

  
  

  Positive reinforcement is given by the therapist if the offender deals successfully in the role play
• What does the application practice in anger management require from the offender and the therapist?

  Commitment from the offender and bravery from the therapist
• Describe a study that shows positive outcome of anger management on young offenders

  Julia Keen et al 2000: studied progress made with offenders aged 17-21 who participated in a nationally recognised anger management programme developed by the England and Wales prison service

  
  

  Offenders reported increased awareness of their anger management difficulties and increased capacity to exercise self control

  
  

  There were initial issues with the offenders not taking the course seriously and issues with individuals forgetting routines eg: requirement to bring a diary
• Describe a study that shows the effectiveness of anger management programmes


  Compared two groups of offenders: one took part in an anger management programme and the other was a control group who did not receive treatment

  
  

  They were assessed by interview, behavioural checklist completed by officers and a self report questionnaire

  
  

  On at least one measure, 48% showed improvement on checklist or self report questionnaire

  
  

  No improvements in the control group
• Why do the benefits of anger management outweighs the benefits of behavioural modification?

  Anger management attempts to address the causes of offending behaviour particularly the cognitive processes that trigger anger and ultimately offending behaviour)

  
  

  Whereas behaviour modification deals only with surface behaviour and not the processes
• Why are the effects of anger management more long lasting than behavioural modification?

  The experience of anger management may give offenders insight to the cause of criminality and allow them to self discover ways of managing themselves outside of the prison setting

  
  

  Suggests anger management is more likely to produce a permanent behavioural change
• Which studies do not support the fact that anger management does not lead to a more permanent behavioural change?

  Follow up studies of anger management tend to not support this

  
  

  Blackburn 1993: although anger management may have a noticeable effect in the short term, there is very little evidence it reduces recidivism in the long term

  
  

  This may be because application practice relies on role play which may not reflect all possible triggers that are present in real world situations
• What is a limitation in the use of anger management?

  The success may depend on individual factors
• Describe a study that shows that anger management programmes are limited by differences on individual factors

  Kevin Howells et al 2005 conducted an investigation with Australian offenders and found that participation in anger management had little overall impact when compared to a non treatment control

  
  

  However significant process was made with those offenders who showed intense levels of anger before the programme. Offenders who were open to change and highly motivated (treatment readiness) experienced similar gains.

  
  

  Suggests anger management may only benefit offenders who fit a certain profile
• Why are anger management programmes considered to be expensive?

  Requires services of highly trained specialists who are used to dealing with violent offenders

  
  

  Many prisons may not have the resources to fund and time is required for change. More time =more expense
• What is the success of anger management programmes dependent on?

  Commitment from the offender