Cognitibe Distortions

Question 1

Cognitive distortions linked to offending behaviour

Answer 1

Hostile attribution bias - when someone has a leaning towards always thinking the worst

Minimalistion - underplaying the consequence of an action to reduce negative emotions such as feeling guilty

Question 2

What is the differential association theory?

Answer 2

Suggests offending can be entirely explained in terms of social learning - suggests people are socialised into a life of crime

Through frequency, duration and intensity of their social interactions

Question 3

What is learned
Who is it learned from
And how is it learned

In the differential association theory

Answer 3

Attitudes toward crime are learned

Learned from intimate personal groups such as family or friends and from the wider neighbourhood

It is learned through direct and indirect operant conditioning, and frequency length and personal meaning to the associations