2.3.5 Theories of Crime- Cognitive

Question 1

Cognitive Perspective

Answer 1

“Psychology and Thinking”- George Kelly

Question 2

The Cognitive Perspective places an emphasis on…

Answer 2

thinking as the basis for one’s personality. Suggests that all humans are amateur scientists who are motivated to understand their world through logic and rational thought.

Question 3

The fundamentalist postulate states that

Answer 3

individuals are capable of interpreting objects and events in the world cognitively and then using this personal understanding to guide their behaviour and better predict the behaviour of others.

Question 4

Cognitive: Basis of personality

Answer 4

a result of our behaviours and mental processes (act + think)

Question 5

Cognitive: Cause of Criminal Behaviour

Answer 5

abnormal mental processes and/or behavioural patterns

Question 6

Cognitive: Altering criminal personality

Answer 6

alteration of mental processes and behavioural patterns through training/learning (cognitive behavioural programs= Skinner + Kelly)

Question 7

Kohlberg’s stage 1

Answer 7

Obedience/punishment orientation- the individual’s perception of whether an act is moral is dependant upon the reaction it evokes. Eg. Don’t steal because you will go to jail

Question 8

Kohlberg’s stage 2

Answer 8

Naively Egotistic Orientation- The individual’s perception of whether an act is moral is dependant upon whether the act satisfies a subjective need. Eg. Steal because you want it/ it feels good.

Question 9

Kohlberg’s stage 3

Answer 9

Good Person Orientation- The individual’s perception of whether an act is moral is dependant upon the degree to which the act aligns with stereotypical social views of “good boys and girls” Eg. Don’t steal because only bad people do that.

Question 10

Kohlberg’s stage 4

Answer 10

Social Order Orientation- The individual begins to understand that social rules are subjective but necessary in order to avoid chaos therefore an act is moral if it reinforces the law and social order. Eg. Don’t steal because even though the law is subjective, if we stole there would be no order to the world.

Question 11

Kohlberg’s stage 5

Answer 11

Contract Legalistic Orientation- The individual begins to understand that some of the subjective social rules are questionable, but continues to abide by them in order to maintain the social fabric.

Question 12

Kohlberg’s stage 6

Answer 12

Conscience Orientation- The individual begins to understand that some of the subjective social rules are questionable and, as such, acts according to their own moral beliefs.