psychological explainations of offending : cognitive

Question 1

who developed moral reasoning?

Answer 1

kohlberg

Question 2

how did kohlberg develop the levels of moral reasoning?

Answer 2

• heinz dilemma
• he was interested for why people picked their choices
• found that offenders gave low moral development

Question 3

what are the three levels of moral reasoning and what are they?

Answer 3

1. pre-conventional morality (rules obeyed to avoid punishment and personal gain) - offenders level
2. convetional morality ( rules obeyed for approval and to maintain social order)
3. post-conventional morality (rules challenged if they infringe on rights or if they have a set of ethical principles)

Question 4

strength of moral reasoning (implications)

Answer 4

intervention could be put in place to increase moral reasoning

Question 5

limitation of moral reasoning (depends)

Answer 5

depends on the crime committed
- people who commit robbery show pre-conventional morality more than impulsive crimes
- apply to certain crimes

Question 6

what are cognitive distortions?

Answer 6

biased, inaccurate ways offenders view situations

Question 7

what are two examples of cognitive distortions?

Answer 7

1. minimaliszation
2. hostile attribution bias

Question 8

what is minimalization?

Answer 8

deny/ downplay a serious offence

Question 9

what is hostile attribution bias?

Answer 9

assume someone is being hostile with them which triggers aggressive response

Question 10

what researchers did research into hostile attribution bias?

Answer 10

• schonenberg and jusyte
• dodge and frame

Question 11

what was schonenberg and justye’s procedure and findings?

Answer 11

• 55 offenders showed pictures
• more likely to perceive as hostile than the control

Question 12

what was dodge and frame’s procedure and findings?

Answer 12

• children were showed a video
• not clearly hostile or accidental
• aggressive children interpreted as hostile

Question 13

strength of cognitive distortions (application)

Answer 13

CBT can challenge irrational thoughts
- reduce both and you reduce chance of reoffending

Question 14

limitation of cognitive distortions (type)

Answer 14

depends on the type of offence
- howitt and sheldon did questionaire on sex offenders and non-contact sex offenders
- sex offenders use cognitive distortions more