Cognitive explanations of Offending Behaviour

Question 1

what is the AO1 for level moral of reasoning

Answer 1

• Kohlberg proposed that criminals have a LOWER LEVEL of moral reasoning than non criminals.
• Kohlberg came up with a series of dilemmas that people needed to solve. Based on their reaction to these dilemmas, Kohlberg was able to classify pps as operating at one of three levels of moral development.
• Kohlberg found that violent youths, for example, were significantly lower in their level of development than non-violent youths, even when controls such as social background were accounted for.
• Criminals are more likely to be classified at the preconventional/pre-morality stage 1, whereas the majority of the (non-criminal) population are at stage 2- conventional morality. (we do things for the greater good)
• A minority of any population only ever progress to stage 3- postconventional morality.
• The preconventional level is characterised by a need to avoid punishment and gain rewards, and is associated with immature, childlike reasoning, making criminal acts more likely.
• Many criminals display the egocentric, empathy-lacking traits that fit with this theory (giving it face validity).

Question 2

what is the (+ve?) AO3 point, Palmer + Hollin (level of moral reasoning)

Answer 2

• Compared moral reasoning between 210 female non-offenders, 122 male non offenders, and 126 offenders using moral reasoning dilemmas.
• Results were consistent with Kohlberg’s predictions; offenders demonstrated a lower level of moral reasoning than non-offenders, supporting his theory.
• Psychologists have proposed that this difference could be explained by criminals having a lack of opportunities in childhood to engage in role-play and that this could be a crucial preventative measure.

Question 3

what is the -ve AO3 point, imposed etic (level of moral reasoning)

Answer 3

• Gibbs criticises Kohlberg’s theory as being culturally biased.
• He argues that it is only relevant in the Western culture from which it originated, and that any attempt to apply the theory of moral reasoning anywhere else is an example of imposed etic.
• Political climates of particular cultures will hugely effect individual differences in outcome (stage of moral reasoning).

Question 4

what is the -ve AO3 point, further issues (level of moral reasoning)

Answer 4

• Research has shown that level of moral reasoning is effected by the TYPE of criminal you are.
• Petty criminals (e.g. theft) are more likely to be at stage 1, preconventional, however criminals who committed impulsive crimes such as assault/murder demonstrated no moral reasoning whatsoever.
• This fits with biological explanations of the “primal brain” (amygdala) taking over at the expense of any other brain area (thinking before you act is not a process undertaken by many criminals). This is obviously a major issue! If they aren’t thinking, this theory is totally invalid. Therefore there is no cognitive explanation for criminality

Question 5

what is the AO1 for Cognitive Distortions (cognitive biases)

Answer 5

• Errors or biases in information processing caused by irrational/faulty thinking
• Hostile Attribution Bias
• Minimalisation

Question 6

what is hostile attribution bias (AO1)

Answer 6

• Tendency to assume that everyone is massively hostile
• Essentially assuming that others are being confrontational when they are not (“WHAT YOU LOOKING AT?! WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY? YOU STARTING?!”
• Other people’s actions are misinterpreted which leads to criminal behaviour

Question 7

what is the +ve AO3 for hostile attribution bias

Answer 7

• Schonenberg:
• Presented 55 offenders with images of neutral facial expressions
• Compared with a matched non-aggressive control group
• The offender were significantly more likely to judge the faces as angry and hostile
• This support hostile attribution bias as an explanation of criminal behaviour

Question 8

what is minimalisation (AO1)

Answer 8

• Attempts to deny or downplay the seriousness of the offence
• Tendency to explain away behaviour (e.g. burglars describe acting out of necessity to support their families)

Question 9

What is the +ve AO3 point for minimalisation

Answer 9

• Support for particular offenders:
• Research shows that sex offenders have a marked tendency for minimalisation, either denying they have committed an offence at all, or seriously minimising the effect of harm they describe the victim as experiencing.
• This supports the idea that minimalisation is indeed a cognitive distortion experienced by criminals.

Question 10

what is the concluding AO3 for the cognitive approach of explaining offending behaviour

Answer 10

• The cognitive approach DESCRIBES the criminal mind- WHAT they are thinking NOT WHY they are thinking it
• This is a massive issue- it has no explanatory power; it merely shows us thought processes, it does not explain why crimes are committed.