Cognitive Explanation Flashcards
What is (level of) moral reasoning?
Kohlberg (1968)- Moral reasoning refers to a way that a person thinks about right and wrong. It is presumed such thinking then applies to moral behaviour. The higher the levels, more a behaviour is driven by a sense of right and just by avoiding punishment or disproval.
What is an offenders level of moral reasoning?
Kohlberg (1973) offenders have a lower level of moral reasoning, using moral dilemmas found that a group of violent youths were at a significantly lower level of moral development than non-violent youths even after controlling social background
What are the stages on Kohlberg’s model?
Level 1: Pre-conventional Morality:
Stage 1: Punishment orientation, rules are obeyed to avoid punishment
Stage 2: Personal gain, rules obeyed for personal gain
Level 2: Conventional morality:
Stage 3: “Good boy/ girl orientation” rules obeyed for approval
Stage 4: Maintenance of social order, rules obeyed to maintain
Post- conventional morality:
Stage 5: Morality of contract and individual rights: rules challenged if infringe on rights of others
Stage 6: Morality of conscience: Individuals have a personal set of ethical principles
Which level of Kohlberg’s is associated with offenders?
Offenders more likely to be classified at pre-conventional level whereas non offenders go beyond this. They commit crime if they can get away with it (egocentric)
What are cognitive distortions?
Faulty, biases and irrational ways of thinking that mean we perceive ourselves, other people and the world inaccurately and usually negatively
What are two examples of cognitive distortions?
- Hostile attribution bias
- Minimalisation
What is Hostile Attribution Bias?
Propensity for violence is often associated with a tendency to misinterpret the actions of other people- assume others are being confrontational when they aren’t. This is hostile attribution bias.
When compared to matched control group offenders more likely to view images of emotionally ambiguous facial expressions as angry and hostile
What is minimalisation?
Minimalisation is the attempt to downplay the seriousness of an offence and has ne referred to as the euphemistic label. Burglars may describe themselves as supporting their family. Those committing sexual offences 54% denied they commit the offence and 40% minimised harm.
What is brief AO3 for level of moral reasoning and cognitive distortions?
Level of moral reasoning:
Research support for the link between moral reasoning and crime
Level of moral reasoning depends on the offence
Cognitive Distortions:
Application to therapy (RWA)
Cognitive distortions depends on the type of offence
What is the AO3 for level of moral reasoning?
Research support for the link between moral reasoning and crime. Palmer and Hollin compared moral reasoning in 332 non offenders and 126 offenders and used Socio Moral Reflection Measure Short Form (SMR-SF). 11 Moral dilemma related questions, offenders had less mature moral reasoning then non offenders.
Level of moral reasoning depends on the offence. Thornton and Reid found that people who committed crimes for financial gain (robbery) were more likely to show pre-conventional reasoning then those convicted of impulsive crimes. Associated w evading punishment, Kohlbergs theory may not apply to all forms of crime.
What is the AO3 for cognitive distortions?
RWA: Application to therapy. CBT aims to challenge irrational thinking, offenders are encouraged to ‘face up’ to what they have done and establish a less distorted view of their actions. Reduced denial and minimalisation in therapy is associated with reduced risk of reoffending. Cognitive distortions has practical value.
Cognitive distortions depends on the type of offence, Howitt and Sheldon gathered questionnaire responses from sexual offenders and found that non-contact used more cognitive distortions then contact SO. those with previous history more likely to sue distortions as a justification. Distortions not always used in the same way.
