Dealing with offender behaviour: anger management
Cognitive behaviour treatment
Novaco (1975) suggested cognitive factors trigger emotional arousal which usually precedes aggressive acts.
Therefore, for some people anger arises quickly, especially in situations perceived as threatening.
Behaviourism suggests anger is reinforced by the person’s feeling of control in a situation. Through anger
management, the individual is taught to recognise when they’re losing control and they develop techniques to
resolve conflict whilst avoiding violence.
Three stages:
1. Cognitive preparation
Offenders reflect on past experience and what causes their anger. They identify trigger situations, and if
their interpretation of events is irrational, the therapist needs to make it clear. The therapist tries to break
down any cognitive bias which the offender may have, for example they may view someone looking at them
as confrontational.
2. Skill acquisition
Offenders learn techniques to deal with anger-provoking situations in a more rational and effective way. For
example, cognitive techniques such as positive self-talk, encouraging calmness; behavioural techniques, such
as training in effective communication; and physiological techniques, such as relaxation/meditation.
3. Application practice
They then practice their skills through a monitored environment such as role play with the therapist. They
may re-enact scenarios that in the past would have caused them to become angry/violent. The offender
needs to be committed and see each scenario as real, and the therapist needs to irritate the offender so that
they can test their skills. Successful responses would be positively reinforced.
Research
Keen et al. (2000) studied the progress of young offenders aged 17-21 who took part in a nationally recognised
anger management programme. The course involved eight two-hour sessions, seven were over a three-week period
and the last one was a month later.
Initially they had issues because the offenders didn’t take it seriously, but final outcomes were generally positive and
they reported increased awareness of their anger management difficulties and better ability to gain self-control.
Cognitive behaviour treatment
Novaco (1975) suggested cognitive factors trigger emotional arousal which usually precedes aggressive acts.
Therefore, for some people anger arises quickly, especially in situations perceived as threatening.
Behaviourism suggests anger is reinforced by the person’s feeling of control in a situation. Through anger
management, the individual is taught to recognise when they’re losing control and they develop techniques to
resolve conflict whilst avoiding violence.
Three stages:
1. Cognitive preparation
Offenders reflect on past experience and what causes their anger. They identify trigger situations, and if
their interpretation of events is irrational, the therapist needs to make it clear. The therapist tries to break
down any cognitive bias which the offender may have, for example they may view someone looking at them
as confrontational.
2. Skill acquisition
Offenders learn techniques to deal with anger-provoking situations in a more rational and effective way. For
example, cognitive techniques such as positive self-talk, encouraging calmness; behavioural techniques, such
as training in effective communication; and physiological techniques, such as relaxation/meditation.
3. Application practice
They then practice their skills through a monitored environment such as role play with the therapist. They
may re-enact scenarios that in the past would have caused them to become angry/violent. The offender
needs to be committed and see each scenario as real, and the therapist needs to irritate the offender so that
they can test their skills. Successful responses would be positively reinforced.
Research
Keen et al. (2000) studied the progress of young offenders aged 17-21 who took part in a nationally recognised
anger management programme. The course involved eight two-hour sessions, seven were over a three-week period
and the last one was a month later.
Initially they had issues because the offenders didn’t take it seriously, but final outcomes were generally positive and
they reported increased awareness of their anger management difficulties and better ability to gain self-control.
