crime - modifying: anger: effectiveness

Question 1

supporting evidence

Answer 1

P: Is effective as there’s supporting research demonstrating it’s success
E: Taylor and Novaco reported a 75% improvement rate based on 6 meta-analyses
T: Therefore anger management is effective as there’s supporting evidence that outlines its effectivness in helping offenders improve their management of anger and aggression
C: However, there’s contradictory evidence. Howell et al cited 5 meta-analyses and found anger management only had moderate benefits. If we cannot be confident that it has consistent success, we cannot confidently call it effective.

Question 2

cause

Answer 2

P: Not effective as it doesn’t address the root cause of aggression, so won;t reduce criminal behaviour
E: Loza and Loza-fanous challenges the assumption that anger leads to criminal violence, finding that in 300 male prisoners there was no significant differences in anger levels between violent and non-violent offenders
T: Therefore anger management isn’t effective as violent offender may still occur even without aggression, therefore treating aggression will not treat violent offending. There are factors like motivations behind the crime (rather than the individual being generally angry) that also contribute.
COUNTER: it still has some value as the skills learnt may have broader benefits beyond just reducing aggression (like emotional regulation and cognitive restructuring).

Question 3

appropriate

Answer 3

P: is effective as it can be appropriate for all. A common criticism is that those who struggle with self reflection will drop out of voluntary programmes, making the therapy not appropriate for all. However, there are solutions to this issue.
E: Blacker et al found proven success in alternative drama-based courses that are more engaging, relying less on verbal abilities. Additionally, Howell and Day created the ‘Anger Readiness to Change Questionnaire’ which reduces drop out by making sure those who are likely to engage are the ones receiving the treatment.
T: Therefore effective as anger management can accommodate all offenders, as well as identify when resources may be wasted on those not ready change, making programmes cost effective additionally