anger management

what did Robert Novaco suggest

cognitive figures trigger the emotional arousal which generally precedes aggressive acts

what are anger management schemes a form of

cognitive behaviour therapy

what are the three stages of anger management ( Calm People Should Avoid Angry People )

1. cognitive preparation

2. skills acquisition

3. application practice

what is cognitive preparation

• encourages an offender to reflect on past experience and consider the typical pattern of their anger

• identifies triggers of anger

what is skills acquisition

• range of techniques and skills to deal with anger-provoking situations

• 1. cognitive - positive self-talk to encourage calmness

• 2. behavioural - training to communicate more effectively

• 3. physiological - deals with the physical reaction to anger - may encourage breathing

what is application practice

• practicing their skills within a carefully controlled environment

• requires a commitment from the offender

• offender is positively reinforced for participating well

Keen’s study for positive outcomes with young offenders

• measured progress with young offenders ages 17 to 21 in a nationally recognised anger management programme

• 8 2-hour sessions over 3 weeks with the last session a month after

• final outcomes were generally positive

• offenders reported increased awareness of their anger management difficulties and increased capacity to exercise self-control

strength - better than behaviour modification

• anger management tackles the causes of offending unlike behaviour modification which only tackles surface level issues

• anger management may give offenders insight into the cause of their criminality

• suggests anger management is more likely to create a permanent behavioural change

counterpoint to AM being better than behaviour modification

• Blackburn states there is little effect on recidivism

• application phase relies on role-play which may not replicate real life

• therefore it may not reduce reoffending

limitation - individual differences

• Howells et al conducted an investigation of Australian offenders

• anger management programme had little difference overall compared to a control group however some had significant changes when they were particularly motivated

• suggests AM may only benefit offenders who fit a certain profile

limitation - expensive and only works in some prisons

• requires highly skilled professionals

• many prisons may not have the resources to provide AM

• may not work if prisoners are uncooperative

• may not work in most prisons