Cognitive distortions Flashcards
Define cognitive distortions:
Errors/biases in people’s informational processing system characterised by faulty thinking.
How do criminals have cognitive distortions?
Interpret other people’s behaviour in negative light + use this to justify own actions.
Define hostile attribution bias:
justifies offenders actions
Violence caused by perception that other’s acts = aggressive.
Define minimalisation:
Reduces offender guilt
Downplays seriousness of offence
Bandura (1973) = application of euphamistic label ‘doing a job’
HAB
Research support:
Schonenberg + Aiste (2014)
55 violent offenders presented with images of emotionally ambiguous facial expressions
Compared with control group –> offenders more likely than non-violent PP to perceive image as angry/hostile.
Evidence –> faulty perception = cognitive deficits
HAB
Research support
Dodge + Frame (1982)
Roots of behaviour lie in childhood
Children shown ‘ambigous provocation’ intention neither clearly hostile or accidental.
Prior to study
Children judged as aggressive more likely to perceive situation as hostile.
Research support:
Minimalisation
Barbee (1991)
54% of 26 rapists denied they committed an offence at all + 40% minimised harm they caused to victim.
Howitt + Sheldon (2007): non-contact sex offenders used mpre cognitive distortions than contact sex offenders.
Previous history of offending = more likely use distortions as justification.
Real world application:
Understanding cognitive distortions can’t be used in identification of criminals but in treatment.
Heller et al (2013) worked with group of young men mainly from disadvantaged groups in Chicago.
Used cognitive behavioural techniques to reduce judgement + decision making errors
PPts attended 13 1-hour sessions = 44% reduction in arrests compared to control group
Early intervention can stop reoffending rates –> more economical.
