Anger Management: Problem Solving Lesson 4 Part of an overall Anger Management course delivered to prison inmates Lisa Moyer EDTC 560 March 9 th, 2005

Do you normally look like this?

Do you often feel like doing this?

Does your body usually want to react like this?

If so… Then you have an anger management problem that needs controlled

How To Problem Solve Stop and think Describe the problem Get information to set a goal Consider choices and consequences Choose, plan, do Evaluate

Review the following slides of the NBA brawl between the Indiana Pacers and Detroit Pistons Review the following slides of the NBA brawl between the Indiana Pacers and Detroit Pistons Courtesy of ClickOnDetroit

The brawl forced an early end to the Pacers' win, but a police investigation was just beginning.

Step 1 Stop and Think We know that thoughts, feelings, and physical reactions can serve as signs that our anger threshold is about to be triggered. What so you think are some possible risk thoughts that the Pacers and Pistons players had? What about risk feelings? Physical reactions?

Step 2 Describe the problem Describe the problem making sure that: You describe the situation objectively You start your statements with “I” – putting yourself in the problem Example: I think/feel__________ because_______

Step 3 Get information to set a goal Look at the facts –What are some of the facts surrounding the basketball brawl? Look at how others are thinking & feeling –How do you think the players involved in the brawl were feeling? –What about the players that were not involved? –What about the fans at the arena? –What about the fans sitting at home watching the brawl on TV? –What about the family members of the players/fans involved in the brawl? Look at your own thoughts and beliefs –What are some of your own thoughts and beliefs about the situation?

Step 4 Consider choices and consequences What are some alternative choices that could have been made by the Pacers and Pistons players/fans? What would be some of the consequences to each of the alternative choices?

Step 5 Choose, plan, do Now, choose the best alternative behavior choice for the Indiana Pacers and Detroit Pistons players? Plan what should be said and done by each of the offending teams. Now, pretend doing the proposed action(s)

Step 6 Evaluate Discuss whether you think your plan will actually work. Why or why not? What are some things that might have to be done differently, according to your proposed plan, to make the outcome more favorable?

References Bush, J., Glick, B., and Taymans, J. (2002). Thinking for a change: Integrated cognitive behavior change program. National Institute of Corrections. Retrieved May 25, 2004, from ClickOnDetroit. (2004). Palace Brawl Was 'Ugly Scene,' Says Pistons President. Retrieved March 3, 2005, from