cognatuve explanation Flashcards
who identified levels of moral reasoning as a cognitive explanation?
Kohlberg
what is the basis of the levels of moral reasoning explanation?
Levels of moral reasoning are applied to criminal behaviour. peoples moral behaviours can be summarised into a stage theory of moral development.
based on peoples responses to moral dilemas
what was kohlbergs study on criminals and moral reasoning
using kohlbergs moral dilemas he found that a group of violent youths were at lower levels of moral development than non-violent youths
outline the preconventional stage (1and2)
-up to age of 9
-sense of right and wrong based on punishment and obedience
determined by what we are rewarded for- motivated by selshishness
-offenders most likley to be classed
outline the conventional stage (3 and 4)
-most adults
-being good is whatever pleases others with a conformist attitude
-being good means doing duty to society with respect for authority
outline the post conventional stage (5 and 6)
-right and wrong is determined by personal values- choose to ignore laws that go against sense of justice
what are cognitive distortions?
errors or biases on peoples information processing system- has been linked to way offenders interpret the actions of others and justify their behaviour
what is hostile attribution bias?
the tendency to misinterpret the actions of others. offenders may misread non-aggressive cues such as being looked at. This may trigger a disproportionate violent response.
what is evidence for hostile attribution bias?
Schonenberg and jusyte- 55 violent offenders were more likley to perceive images of emotionally ambigious faces as hostile or angry
what is minimisation?
the attempt to downplay or minimise the seriousness of an offense - e.g burglers describe themselves as doing a job
what is evidence for minimalisation?
barbaree- among 26 incarnated rapists 54% denied, 40%minimised the harm
