Cognitive distortions Flashcards
Define what is meant by cognitive distortions
Faulty, biased and irrational ways of thinking about ourselves, others or the world.
What are the two types of cognitive distortions?
Hostile attribution bias
Minimalisation
Define what is meant by hostile atribution bias
Assuming that others actions are a negative reaction to themselves
Define what is meant by minimalisation
Refusal to accept the full reality of a situation and attempt to rationalise what they have done
What did Spielberger find in his research into hostile attribution bias?
A relationship between aggression and hostile attribution bias
What did Grancola find when researching into hostile attribution bias?
Linked impulse aggression to hostile attribution bias but not premeditated violence
What did Crick & Dodge find when researching into hostile attribution bias?
There is a relationship between hostile attribution bias in both children and adolescents and aggression
What did Epps & Kendall find when researching into hostile attribution bias?
College students who had high levels of aggression and anger scored high for hostile attribution bias
Explain minimalisation
Offender may down play or trivialise their crime.
They could come up with a reason for a crime or blame others in order to help the offender deal with their guilt.
What did Alvaro & Gibbs research into minimalisation?
Measured cognitive distortions in anti-social young adults and found a strong relationship with minimalisation and negative behaviours.
Who conducted research into cognitive distortions?
Hutchinson et al
Kennedy et al
What did Hutchinson et al research into cognitive distortions?
Men with domestic violence history were shown scenarios of difficult marital situations - they were more likely to perceive the female as being in the wrong which shows a link between violence and hostile attribution bias.
