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Evaluating the effectiveness of anger management (AM not effective for…
Evaluating the effectiveness of anger management
research evidence to support
Taylor and Novaco looked at 6 meta analyses of AM reporting 75% improvement rate
Landberger and Lipsey reviewed reviewed 58 studies of CBT with offenders. 20 of these used AM techniques and element of anger control was significantly related to an improvement in the offenders behaviour.
This suggests anger management is successful in reducing anger and aggression which can have benefits for both the individual and society in reducing recidivism
research evidence to challenge
Howells et al cite 5 meta analyses and found only moderate improvements with one study where only one person improves
Suggests AM is not a reliable method of modifying CB as there is inconsistencies in outcomes for offenders, this questions whether this method should be applied to all violent and aggressive criminals
AM not effective for everyone
For example if violent and impulsive behaviour was due to low levels of serotonin then SSRIs would be a more effective method of modifying their behaviour (cherek)
this would suggest that AM is not the magic cure for all aggressive criminal behaviour and perhaps only suitable for those with cognitive distortions who are able to engage in the programme
Furthermore, if the cause of an offenders criminality is biological, AM will be ineffective
Some offenders do not like to reflect on their way of thinking, and such might drop out of AM programmes
Does not modify all CB
Only violent and aggressive crimes
CB is vast and many crimes do not involve element of aggression or violence e.g property fraudulent crime
Only deals with specific crimes
AM is restricted in how far it can modify all CB
What if anger does not = aggression
Furthermore, if anger does not lead to aggression then AM irrelevant
One issue with AM is that relationship between anger aggression and crime ??
Loza and Loza-Fanous found in sample of over 300 males in prison no difference in levels of anger of violent and non violent crims. Researchers argue AM programmes can result in offender blaming crimes on anger removing responsibility