Lesson 6 - Cognitive explanations

Question 1

Kohlberg moral reasoning

Answer 1

the quality of peoples judgements of right and wrong can be summarised by a stage theory of moral development

Question 2

pre conventional level

Answer 2

individual shows concern for self interest and external rewards and punishment
immature reasoning (ages 3-7)
ppl that get away with this behaviour commit crimes

Question 3

+ eval of moral reasoning

Answer 3

+210 female non offenders and 122 male non offenders and 126 convicted offenders tested using 11 moral dilemmas. offenders showed less mature moral reasoning

Question 4

• eval of moral reasoning

Answer 4

-level of moral reasoning depends on the type of offence. individuals that commit crime for financial gain were more likely to show pre conventional reasoning than those who were convicted of impulsive crime- showed no rational reasoning

Question 5

hostile attribution bias

Answer 5

when offenders misinterpret social cues and justify their actions by putting the fault on their victim

Question 6

minimalisation

Answer 6

when offenders justify their offence to themselves by playing down the significance of their actions

Question 7

+ eval of cognitive distortions

Answer 7

+ understanding the nature of cog distortion has proven beneficial in the treatment of criminal behaviour
REHAB IN THE FORM OF CBT- encourages offenders to face up to what they’ve done

Question 8

• eval of cog distortions

Answer 8

• hostile attribution bias can explain reactive aggressive behaviour better than pre-medicated and planned aggression
• minimisation can describe how an offender rationalises their actions after the event but doesn’t explain the initial cause of the offending
  -it explains thinking, but it can’t account for the source of these thoughts. nature or nurture