Cognitive Explanations

Question 1

Level of moral reasoning

Answer 1

Kohlberg proposed peoples decisions and judgements on issue of right/wrong can be summarised in stage theory of moral development
^ higher the stage = more sophisticated the reasoning

Question 2

Study

Answer 2

Compared 72 Chicago boys (10-16yrs) - 58 followed up at 3yr intervals for 20yrs
. Each boy given 2 hour interview based on 10 dilemmas, interested in reasons for decision - reasons tended to change as kids got older

Question 3

Level 1: Pre - Conventional Morality

Answer 3

Stage 1: Punishment Orientation = rules obeyed to avoid punishment

Stage 2: Instrumental Orientation of personal gain = rules obeyed for personal gain

Question 4

Level 2: Conventional Morality

Answer 4

Stage 3: ‘Good boy/girl’ Orientation = rules obeyed for approval

Stage 4: Maintenance of social order = rules obeyed to maintain the social order

Question 5

Level 3: Post - Conventional Morality

Answer 5

Stage 5: Morality of Contract and Individual rights = rules obeyed if they’re impartial; democratic rules challenged if infringe on rights of others

Stage 6: Morality of conscience = individual establishes his/her own rules in accordance with personal set of ethical principles

Question 6

Kohlberg’s Model and Criminality

Answer 6

Criminals likely to be classified at pre - conventional level - characterised by need to avoid punishment and gain rewards

Question 7

Hostile Attribution Bias
(Cognitive Distortions)

Answer 7

Violence often associated with tendency to misinterpret actions of others - assume others are being confrontational when not

Question 8

Minimalisation
(Cognitive Distortions)

Answer 8

Attempted to deny/downplay seriousness of offence - ‘euphemistic label’ for behaviour

Question 9

Evaluation (Strengths)

Answer 9

Research Support
- Compared moral reasoning between non offenders and offenders using 11 moral dilemma problems. Delinquents showed less mature moral reasoning

Question 10

Evaluation (Weaknesses)

Answer 10

Type of Offence (W)
- Individuals commiting financial crimes more likely to show pre-conventional moral reasoning than impulsive crimes

Intelligence
- May be better predictor of criminality - explain finding groups of people with very low IQ acc less lieklt to commit crime