Cognitive explanations Flashcards
State the two types of cognitive explanation for offending
Moral reasoning and cognitive distortions
State Kohlberg’s theory applied to criminal behaviour
Criminals are more likely to be at the pre-conventional level. They are likely to commit crimes when the rewards outweigh the punishments
State the three levels of Kohlberg’s stage theory of moral development
Level 1 = Pre-conventional morality (Lowest level)
Level 2 = Conventional morality
Level 3 = Post-conventional morality
Evaluate the supporting evidence for Kohlberg’s theory of moral reasoning
Real world application.
The children raised on Israeli kibbutzim were morally more advanced than those not raised on kibbutzim. Therefore belonging in a democratic group could facilitate moral judgement.
Evaluate the criticising evidence for Kohlberg’s theory of moral reasoning
The sample is androcentric.
To create this stage theory, Kohlberg asked only boys aged 10-16. Therefore it is only generalisable to boys of that age.
Define ‘cognitive distortions’
A form of irrational thinking. ‘Distortions’ are ways that reality has become twisted so that what is perceived no-longer represents what is actually true
State the two types of cognitive distortion
1) Hostile attribution bias
2) Minimalisation
Describe Hostile attribution bias
3 points
Hostile attribution bias = ‘Oi, What you lookin’ at?!’
Linked to increased levels of aggression
When someone has a leaning towards always thinking the worst
Describe Minimalisation
Minimalisation = ‘I’m going to steal this PS5 to sell. Sony has millions of $, it won’t matter to them, whilst I have kids who need feeding’
a) Refers to a tendency to downplay or even deny the seriousness of a behaviour
b) A way of justifying criminal behaviour
c) Minimal harm done to victim
d) Argue/believe that the victim contributed to the crime
Evaluate Hostile attribution bias
Schönenburg & Aiste showed emotionally ambiguous faces to 55 violent offenders and compared their responses to control ‘normal’ ppts.
Offenders were more likely to interpret any picture that had some expression of anger as an expression of aggression. Explains aggressive-impulsive behaviour
Evaluate minimalisation in a supporting manner
Kennedy & Grubin = Sex offenders’ accounts of their crimes often downplayed their behaviour e.g. the victim contributed
Evaluate minimalisation in a neutral manner
Maruna & Mann suggested it is just normal behaviour where people try to blame events on external sources to protect the self.
