L7.1 - CDs Cognitive Explanations

Question 1

Define cognitive distortions

Answer 1

Faulty, irrational ways of thinking which makes individuals perceive themselves, the world, and others inaccurately and negatively

Question 2

Define hostile attribution bias

Answer 2

Perceive ambiguous situations as threatening and/or aggressive when they’re not in reality
Can trigger violent response

Question 3

Study relate to HAB

Answer 3

55 violent offenders studied emotionally ambiguous faces

Question 4

Define minimalisation

Answer 4

Downplaying the impact of their crime in the victim, often to avoid guilt, and thinking their act had little importance

Question 5

How many participants in the study related to minimalisation

Answer 5

26 incarcerated rapists

Question 6

Offenders use what to minimalise their actions

Answer 6

Euphemisms

“Doing a job” for example

Question 7

Minimalisation is mainly used by what criminal type

Answer 7

Sex offenders

Question 8

Cognitive distortions resulted in what treatment? (+CD)

Answer 8

CBT
Take responsibility and therapist helps to redefine situations to reduce HAB
Reduced risk of CDs = reduced recidivism

Question 9

CDs help to predict reoffending but? (-)

Answer 9

Describes but doesn’t explain criminal mind

More helpful if we knew why offenders commit crimes in the first place

Question 10

CD is unscientific because? (-)

Answer 10

Can’t be observed or measured

Relies on subjective views and interpretations

Question 11

What % of rapists thought there was nothing bad done

Answer 11

54%

Question 12

What % of rapists minimalised their actions

Answer 12

40% minimalised their actions

Question 13

Findings from HAB study

Answer 13

Offenders perceived faces as more hostile and angry than the control

Question 14

HAB may stem from when?

Answer 14

Childhood