Gudjonsson and Bownes 1992 Cognitive - blame attribution

Question 1

Aim

Answer 1

To examine the relationship between type of offence and the attributions offenders make about their criminal act

Question 2

Method

Answer 2

Self report structured interview

used the Gudjonsson and Singh 42 item ‘blame inventory’ (GBAI) to measure offence and attribution of blame.

Question 3

Participants

Answer 3

80 criminals serving sentences in northern Ireland

20 violent offenders
40 sex offenders
20 property offenders

Question 4

Results

Answer 4

Sexual offenders showed the most remorse and had the highest mental element (ie. depression) followed by violent offenders.

violent offenders had the highest level of external attribution, sex offenders had the lowest level.

Question 5

Conclusions

Answer 5

offenders attribute blame differently depending on the type of crime.