Cognitive: Cognitive Distortions

Question 1

What are they?

Answer 1

errors or biases in information processing by faulty thinking
- more typical way for offenders to interpret and justify their behaviour

Question 2

two types of cognitive distortions

Answer 2

hostile attribution bias and minimalisation

Question 3

Hostile attribution bias

Answer 3

misinterpretation of others actions assuming they are being confrontational
- misread non agressive cue so have a disproportionate and violent response

Question 4

HAB study

Answer 4

SCHONENBERG AND JUSYTE
- violent offenders more likely than non offenders to perceive ambiguous facial expressions as angry and hostile

Question 5

Minimalisation

Answer 5

• downplaying significance of crime to lower sense of guilt
• ‘doing a job’
• supporting the family’

Question 6

Minimalisation study

Answer 6

BARBAREE
- 54% rapists denied commiting offence
- 40% minimised the ham they caused

Question 7

AO3 + application

Answer 7

In CBT offenders are helped to come to terms with what they did in a less distorted view
- HARKINS ET AL: less denial and minimalisation in therapy leads to less reoffending

Question 8

AO3 - depends on the type of offence

Answer 8

HOWITT and SHELDON
- non-contact sex offenders used more cognitive distortions than contact
- previous offending history more likely to use distortions