Psychological (cognitive) Explanation A03

Question 1

Level of moral reasoning strength - research support - Emma palmer and Clive hollin 1998

Answer 1

moral reasoning in 332 non-offenders and 126 convicted offenders using the Socio Moral Reflection Measure Short Form (SRM-SF) which contains 11 moral dilemma-related questions such as not taking things that belong to others and keeping a promise to a triend. The offender group showed less mature moral reasoning than the non-offender group.
This is consistent with Kohlbergs predictions.

Question 2

Level of moral reasoning - limitation - type of offence - David Thornton and R.L Reid 1982

Answer 2

found that people who committed crimes for financial gain (e.g. robbery) were more likely to show pre-conventional moral reasoning than those convicted of impulsive crimes (e.g. assault). Pre-conventional moral reasoning tends to be associated with crimes in which offenders believe they have a good chance of evading punishment.
This suggests that Kohlberg’s theory may not apply to all forms of crime.

Question 3

Cognitive distortions - real world application - strength

Answer 3

• Cognitive behaviour therapy aims to challenge irrational thinking. In the case of offending behaviour, offenders are encouraged to ‘face up’ to what they have done and establish a less distorted view of their actions.
• Studies (e.g. Harkins et al. 2010) suggest that reduced incidence of denial and minimalisation in therapy is highly associated with a reduced risk of reoffending (as ‘acceptance of one’s crimes is thought to be an important aspect of rehabilitation)
• This suggests that the theory of cognitive distortions has practical value.

Question 4

Cognitive distortions - type of offence - limitation - Dennis Howitt and Kerry Sheldon (2007)

Answer 4

• gathered questionnaire responses from sexual offenders. Contrary to what the researchers predicted, they found that non-contact sex offenders (accessed sexual images on the internet) used more cognitive distortions than contact sex offenders (had physically abused children).
• Those who had a previous history of offending were aiso more likely to use distortions as a justification.
• This suggests that distortions are not used in the same way by all offenders.