CSAM Anger Management Theories & Techniques 3 ā Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which theorist introduced the concept of 'irrational beliefs' as a primary cause of anger and emotional disturbance?
- Aaron Beck
- Albert Ellis (Correct answer)
- Raymond Novaco
- Arnold Lazarus
Correct answer: Albert Ellis
Albert Ellis, founder of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT), argued that irrational beliefsāespecially 'musts' and 'shoulds'āgenerate intense anger.
Question 2: A client uses humor and exercise to cope with anger before confronting a coworker. This exemplifies which concept?
- Suppression
- Displacement
- Adaptive coping (Correct answer)
- Sublimation
Correct answer: Adaptive coping
Adaptive coping strategies like humor and physical activity reduce anger intensity so the person can address the issue constructively.
Question 3: In the context of anger management, 'rumination' is problematic primarily because it:
- Prevents emotional expression
- Prolongs and intensifies the anger experience (Correct answer)
- Blocks access to somatic cues
- Reduces empathy for others
Correct answer: Prolongs and intensifies the anger experience
Rumination keeps attention focused on the provocation and grievances, sustaining elevated arousal and amplifying the anger response over time.
Question 4: Which evidence-based approach uses functional analysis to identify antecedents, behaviors, and consequences of anger episodes?
- Person-centered therapy
- Psychodynamic therapy
- Applied behavior analysis / behavioral anger management (Correct answer)
- Narrative therapy
Correct answer: Applied behavior analysis / behavioral anger management
Behavioral anger management applies functional (ABC) analysis to understand what triggers anger, what the angry behavior looks like, and what reinforces it.
Question 5: Which mindfulness-based intervention has the strongest empirical support specifically for reducing trait anger in adults?
- Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)
- Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT)
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- Both MBSR and ACT show comparable strong support (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Both MBSR and ACT show comparable strong support
Research indicates both MBSR and ACT demonstrate strong empirical support for reducing trait anger, often outperforming waitlist and active controls.
Question 6: A therapist asks a client to notice bodily sensations (tight chest, clenched jaw) as early anger signals without judging them. This is an application of:
- Somatic experiencing
- Mindful body scanning (Correct answer)
- Biofeedback
- Hypnotherapy
Correct answer: Mindful body scanning
Mindful body scanning trains clients to detect physiological anger cues early, providing a window to intervene before anger escalates.
Question 7: The 'thinkāfeelāact' chain in cognitive-behavioral anger therapy is best described as:
- Emotions cause thoughts which drive behavior
- Thoughts influence feelings which shape behavior (Correct answer)
- Behavior precedes both thoughts and feelings
- Feelings are independent of thoughts and behavior
Correct answer: Thoughts influence feelings which shape behavior
CBT holds that appraisals (thoughts) about events generate emotional states (feelings), which in turn drive behavioral responses including aggression.
CSAM Anger Management Theories & Techniques 3
Which theorist introduced the concept of 'irrational beliefs' as a primary cause of anger and emotional disturbance?