Cognitive theories

Question 1

Criminal personality theory

Answer 1

• Criminals are prone to faulty thinking.
• Criminals show a range of faulty thinking in their decision making, these include lying, secretiveness and super optimism.
• Errors and biases lead to a criminal committing crime.
• Successful treatments such as CBT (strength).
• Did not use a control group (limitation).

Question 2

Moral development theory

Answer 2

• Kohlberg argues that our ideas of right and wrong develop through both childhood and adulthood.
• Children see right and wrong as what is punished and what is rewarded.
• Adults make decisions based on moral principles and values.
• Suggests criminals moral development is immature.
• Some studies show that delinquents are more likely to have an immature moral development (strength)
• Kohlberg focuses on thinking rather than behaviour (limitation).