Psychological Explanations: Cognitive Distortions

Question 1

What are cognitive distortions?

Answer 1

Errors or biases in people’s information processing system characterised by faulty thinking

Question 2

What are 2 examples of congo ive distortions?

Answer 2

• Hostile attribution bias
• Minimalisation

Question 3

What is hostile attribution bias?

Answer 3

When people misinterpret the actions of others

Question 4

What is an example of hostile attribution bias?

Answer 4

Someone with hostile attribution bias may take someone bumping into them in a crowded bar by accident as them trying to start a fight and attack them

Question 5

What did Schonenberg and Justye do?

Answer 5

Presented 55 violent offenders with emotionally neutral images. Compared with non aggressive control group they were significantly more likely to perceive the images as hostile

Question 6

What is minimalisation?

Answer 6

An attempt to deny or downplay the seriousness of offending behaviours

Question 7

What is an example of minimalisation?

Answer 7

A burglar may describe themselves as supporting their family

Question 8

What did Barbareee do?

Answer 8

Found that of 26 convicted rapists who have been interviews 54% claimed they hadn’t committed an offence and 40% showed signs of downplaying the damage

Question 9

What did Pollock and Hashmall do?

Answer 9

Reported that with a sample of child molesters 35% claimed that the offence was non sexual and 36% claimed that the victim has consented

Question 10

What are 3 evaluation points

Answer 10

• Coping strategy for after crime rather than an explanation
• Depend on type of crime: relationship between minimalisation and sex offences