cognitive explanations

Question 1

level of moral reasoning

Answer 1

moral reasoning refers to the process by which an individual draws upon their own value system to determine whether an action is right or wrong. Kholberg attempted to objectify this process by identifying different levels of reasoning based on people’s answers to moral dilemmas. Many studies have suggested that criminals are more likely to be classified at the pre-conventional level of Kholhberg’s model and tend to show a lower level of moral reasoning than non-criminals.

Question 2

cognitive distortions

Answer 2

faulty, biased irrational ways of thinking that we perceive ourselves, other people and the world inaccurately and usually negatively.

Question 3

hostile attribution bias

Answer 3

the tendency to judge ambiguous situations , or the actions of others, as aggressive and / or threatening when in reality they may not be.

Question 4

Minimalisation

Answer 4

a type of deception that involves downplaying the significance of an event or emotion A common strategy when dealing with feelings of guilt