cognitive explanations Flashcards
what are the explanations of being an offender?
Level of moral reasoning.
Cognitive distortions-including hostile attribution bias and minimalisation
what does moral reasoning refer to?
the way a person thinks about right and wrong. It is presumed that such thinking then applies to moral behaviour. The higher the level, the more that behaviour is driven by a sense of what is right sand the less it is driven by just avoiding punishment or avoiding the disapproval of others.
what is the definition of cognitive distortions?
Faulty, biased and irrational ways of thinking that mean we perceive ourselves, other people and the world inaccurately and usually negatively.
what is hostile attribution bias?
The tendency to judge ambiguous situations, or the actions of others, as aggressive and/or threatening when in reality they may not be.
what is minimalisation or minimisation
A type of deception that involves downplaying the significance of an event or emotion. A common strategy when dealing with feelings of guilt.
what is the link between level of moral reasoning and criminality?
Offenders are more likely to be classified at the pre-conventional level of Kohlberg’s model
how is the pre-conventional level characterised and how does this link to criminality?
a need to avoid punishment and gain rewards, and is associated with less mature, childlike reasoning. Therefore, adults and adolescents who reason at this level may commit crime if they can get away with it or gain rewards in the form of money, increased respect etc.
