🍒 Criminal Behaviour Modifying Behaviour - Anger Management

Question 1

Anger Management - Definition & Aims

Q: What is anger management, and what are its key aims?

Answer 1

• Definition: A CBT-based therapy to reduce anger by changing irrational thoughts.
• Aims:
  1. Short-term: Reduce prison aggression (Novaco, 2013: prisons = “anger factories”).
  2. Long-term: Lower recidivism by teaching coping strategies.

Question 2

Anger in Prisoners

Q: How does hostile attribution bias contribute to anger in offenders?

Answer 2

• Definition: Tendency to interpret others’ actions as hostile (e.g., misreading a smile as mockery).
• Effect: Fuels irrational anger → aggression/violence.
• Link: Anger management targets these cognitive distortions.

Question 3

Novaco’s 3 Key Aims (2011)

Q: What are the three components of Novaco’s anger management?

Answer 3

1. Cognitive restructuring: Change irrational thoughts (e.g., “They disrespected me”).
2. Regulation of arousal: Control physiological anger (e.g., deep breathing).
3. Behavioural strategies: Problem-solving, assertiveness (not aggression).

Question 4

Stress Inoculation Model (Novaco, 1975/77)

Q: Describe the 3 stages of Novaco’s stress inoculation model.

Answer 4

1. Conceptualisation: Learn about anger triggers (e.g., “Being ignored makes me angry”).
2. Skill acquisition: Train in relaxation, communication, self-regulation.
3. Application: Practice in role-plays → real-world use.

Question 5

Ireland (2004) - Study Summary

Q: What did Ireland’s study find about anger management effectiveness?

Answer 5

• Method: 87 young male offenders; 50 (treatment) vs. 37 (control).
• Results: 92% in treatment group improved (vs. 0% control). Compared against baseline questionnaire.
• Conclusion: Anger management works short-term in prisons.

Question 6

Trimble (2015) - Study Summary

Q: How did Trimble’s probation study support anger management?

Answer 6

• Method: 105 offenders on probation; compulsory 9 weekly sessions each 2h.
• Results: ↓ anger expression and experience post-treatment.
• Conclusion: Effective for community-based offenders.

Question 7

Key Term - Cognitive Restructuring

Q: What is cognitive restructuring in anger management?

Answer 7

• Definition: Replacing irrational thoughts (e.g., “They meant to upset me”) with rational ones (“Maybe they didn’t notice me”).
• Example: Role-playing to challenge hostile attribution bias.

Question 8

Real-World Application

Q: How is anger management used in the criminal justice system?

Answer 8

• Prisons: Group therapy (e.g., Novaco’s model).
• Probation: Mandatory courses (e.g., Trimble’s study).
• Aftercare: Prevents relapse post-release.

Question 9

Evaluation: Effectiveness - Supporting Evidence

Q: What research supports the effectiveness of anger management?

Answer 9

✅ Taylor & Novaco (2006): 75% improvement rate across 6 meta-analyses.
✅ Landerberger & Lipsey (2005): CBT with anger control components showed significant improvement in 58 studies.
❌ Counterpoint: Howells (2005) cites 5 studies with only moderate benefits (e.g., Law 1997: 1 person improved).

Question 10

Evaluation: Limitations - Suitability & Dropout

Q: Why might anger management fail for some offenders?

Answer 10

• Not universal: Some offenders reject self-reflection (CBT requires verbal engagement).
• Solution: Drama-based alternatives (e.g., Blacker et al., 2008) better for low-verbal offenders.
• Screening: Use Anger Readiness to Change Questionnaire to filter unmotivated participants.

Question 11

Anger-Aggression Link Debate

Q: Is anger always linked to crime/aggression?

Answer 11

❌ Loza & Loza-Fanous (1999): No anger difference between violent/non-violent prisoners.
⚠️ Critique: Violent offenders may mask anger; programs could encourage excuses (“I was angry”).
❌ Howells et al. (2005): Much violence occurs without anger.

Question 12

Ethical Issues - Consent & Conflict

Q: What ethical problems arise in prison-based anger management?

Answer 12

1. Lack of consent: Often mandatory (e.g., probation requirement).
2. Therapist conflict: Duty to prison vs. client (e.g., reporting confessions).
   - Balance: Ethical cost vs. societal benefit (↓ reoffending).

Question 13

Social Implications

Q: How does anger management benefit society?

Answer 13

✅ Prison environment: Reduces hostility/aggression (safer for staff/inmates).
✅ Financial: UK reoffending costs £9.5B/year; even small ↓ in recidivism saves money.

Question 14

Key Study - Landerberger & Lipsey (2005)

Q: What did their meta-analysis reveal?

Answer 14

• Reviewed 58 CBT studies; anger control components predicted greater improvement.
• Strength: Large evidence base supports anger management as part of CBT.

Question 15

Key Concept - Readiness to Change

Q: Why is pre-assessment important?

Answer 15

Screening unmotivated offenders saves resources (e.g., using Anger Readiness to Change Questionnaire).
Example: Dropout rates ↓ when participants voluntarily engage.

Question 16

Evaluation Summary

Q: Overall, is anger management effective?

Answer 16

✅ Pros:

Evidence-backed (e.g., 75% improvement rates).
Benefits prisons/society (↓ violence/costs).
❌ Cons:
Not for all (e.g., psychopaths, non-angry crimes).
Ethical dilemmas (consent, therapist conflict).