Forensic psychology AO1 /2/2 Flashcards
(15 cards)
Q (AO1): What are the four main aims of custodial sentencing?
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Deterrence
* General deterrence: sending a broad message to society that crime will not be tolerated (vicarious reinforcement).
* Individual deterrence: dissuading the specific offender from reoffending (learning from their own experience).
Incapacitation
* Physically removes offender from society to protect the public; level of incapacitation set by offence severity.
Retribution
* “An eye for an eye” – society enacts revenge proportionate to the seriousness of the crime.
Rehabilitation
* Prison as an opportunity to reform: provide education, training, therapy so that, on release, offenders can reintegrate (prison = reflect + access treatment).
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Define “recidivism” and how custodial sentences affect it.
Recidivism = the tendency to relapse into criminal behaviour after release.
Recidivism rates measure how effective prison is as a deterrent.
In the U K, ~57 % of released prisoners reoffend within one year (Ministry of Justice).
Countries that emphasize rehabilitation (e.g., Norway) show much lower recidivism, suggesting custodial focus (punishment-only) correlates with higher reoffending.
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What are the three major psychological effects of custodial sentencing?
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Stress/Depression
* Suicide rates in prison well above the general population.
* Self-harm incidents rise; risk of post-incarceration mental disorders (e.g., depression).
Institutionalization
* Adaptation to prison routines (“inmate code”) → inability to cope on the outside.
Prisonization
* Prisoners internalize behaviors that “work” in prison but are unacceptable outside (e.g., hyper-vigilance).
q
): What is “anger management” and how does it differ from behaviour modification?
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Definition: A therapeutic programme teaching offenders to identify the emotions that precede anger and to use calming‐down techniques (e.g., relaxation, positive self‐talk, assertiveness) to handle triggering situations constructively, rather than simply suppressing or punishing angry acts.
Key Difference: Unlike behaviour modification (which focuses on reinforcing/inhibiting observable behaviours), anger management concentrates on the underlying cognitive processes—recognising irrational thoughts and automatic emotional responses—to achieve long‐term behaviour change both inside and outside custody.
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q
Outline the three stages of a typical anger management programme.
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A:
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Cognitive Preparation
– Offender reflects on past anger episodes, learns to identify “hot‐thought” patterns (irrational beliefs) and reframe events as non‐threatening.
Skills Acquisition
– Therapist teaches a range of techniques:
* Cognitive: Positive self‐talk to challenge “I’m going to explode” thoughts.
* Behavioural:
Assertiveness training—communicate needs without aggressive outbursts.
* Physiological: Relaxation exercises (deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation) to control arousal.
Application Practice
– Role‐plays simulate real‐life anger triggers. Offender rehearses newly learned skills; therapist provides immediate feedback and positive reinforcement for appropriate responses.
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What is Restorative Justice (RJ)?
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Definition: A system of dealing with offending that emphasizes rehabilitation through reconciliation between offender and victim (often called “survivor”).
Offender “pays back” the survivor by acknowledging harm, making amends (e.g., apology, financial restitution, or repairing damage), and participating in a mediated face-to-face meeting.
What are the three key features of an RJ programme?
Facilitated Meeting
* Conducted in a non-courtroom setting (in person or via video).
* A trained mediator ensures safe dialogue: survivor explains emotional/physical impact; offender listens and takes responsibility.
* Optional involvement of family, friends, and community members to support all parties.
Sentencing & Restitution
* Offender may offer financial compensation or repair property damage as tangible “reparation.”
* Any criminal sentence (if required) is determined by courts, but RJ focuses on voluntary restitution first.
Restorative Justice Council (UK)
* Independent body that sets standards, issues guidelines (e.g., who can facilitate, how to prepare participants), and accredits programmes in schools, prisons, and communities.
How does Braithwaite (2004) describe RJ’s unique emphasis?
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RJ places priority on “giving the survivor a voice.”
Offender hears first-hand the emotional consequences of their actions, leading to genuine remorse and acknowledgment of harm.
Mediation is informal (not a courtroom), fostering positive outcomes (empathy, emotional closure) rather than adversarial “guilty/not guilty” judgment.
Guidelines (who speaks when, how apologies are made) are set by the Restorative Justice Council to ensure safety and fairness.
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What are key additional AO1 concepts in Differential Association Theory (Sutherland)?
Behaviour is learned from close associations. Frequency, duration, and intensity of exposure to pro-criminal attitudes predict offending. Shifts focus from biology to social learning
What is behaviour modification in custody, and which psychological approach is it based on?
Behaviour modification aims to reduce undesirable behaviours and promote prosocial ones in offenders using reinforcement. It is grounded in the behaviourist approach, specifically operant conditioning, where behaviours are shaped by consequences. In prisons, compliant behaviours are reinforced (e.g., rule-following), while antisocial behaviours are punished to reduce reoffending.
What are token economies and how do they function in custodial settings?
Token economies are a form of behaviour modification where prisoners earn tokens (secondary reinforcers) for desirable behaviours (e.g., hygiene, following rules). These tokens are later exchanged for primary reinforcers (e.g., extra visits, privileges). This system uses positive reinforcement to increase prosocial behaviours and may involve punishment if tokens are removed for noncompliance.
How are token economies implemented effectively, and how do they compare to other rehabilitation methods?
Target behaviours are operationalised into measurable steps and assigned token values. Clear rules and consistent reinforcement are essential, requiring staff training to avoid bias. While token economies are cost-effective and easy to implement, they are criticised as superficial—unlike CBT or anger management, they do not address cognitive or emotional causes of offending, limiting long-term impact.
What is the cognitive approach to explaining offending behaviour?
The cognitive approach sees offending as rooted in faulty thought patterns, such as biased interpretations, moral immaturity, and distorted justifications. Offenders may misread social cues, downplay guilt, or use pre-conventional moral reasoning—prioritising self-interest and rewards over ethical norms—making antisocial acts more likely.
How does level of moral reasoning relate to offending, and what evidence supports this?
Kohlberg (1969) proposed that moral reasoning develops through stages. Offenders often operate at the pre-conventional level, seeking to avoid punishment or gain rewards. Palmer & Hollin (1998) found offenders had significantly less mature moral reasoning than non-offenders, supporting the idea that moral immaturity contributes to criminality.
What are hostile attribution bias and minimisation, and how do they link to offending?
Hostile attribution bias (HAB) involves perceiving neutral cues as threatening; Justye et al. (2014) found violent offenders saw neutral faces as hostile. Minimisation involves downplaying guilt—Pollock & Hashmall (1991) found many child sex offenders denied harm or responsibility. Both distortions enable offenders to rationalise antisocial acts.
