Individual Differences Explanation 2: Cognitive Factors

Question 1

What is cognitive distortion?

Answer 1

Form of irrational thinking. Ways that reality has become twisted so that what is perceived no longer represents what is actually true.

Question 2

What does attribution mean?

Answer 2

Attribution refers to what we think when we observe someone’s actions and draw an inference about what it means. For example, if a persons smiles at you, you might infer they are communicating that they like you.

Question 3

What is hostile attribution bias?

Answer 3

When someone has a leaning toward always thinking the worst, such as is someone smiles at you but you that the person is actually thinking bad thoughts about you. Such negative interpretations then lead to more aggressive behaviour.

Question 4

What is minimalisation?

Answer 4

An offender may reduce any negative interpretation of their behaviour before and/or after a crime has been committed. This helps an individual accept the consequences of their own behaviour and means that negative emotions can be reduced.

Question 5

What is an example of minimalisation?

Answer 5

A burglar might think when planning a crime that stealing a few things from a wealthy family really has very little effect on their lives. Because of this way of thinking the burglar doesn’t feel as bad about committing crime.

Question 6

What is magnification

Answer 6

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Question 7

Level of moral reasoning

Answer 7

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