Cognitive distortions criminal behaviours

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  • Created by: H3lix
  • Created on: 03-05-22 11:14

Cognitive distortions criminal behaviours

Advantages

  • NOMOTHETIC - Gudjonsson & Sigurdsson (2007) studied 128 male juveniles on Offending Motivation Questionnaire. 37% lacked consideration consequences, 36% confident they wouldn't be caught
  • REPLICABLE- understand the development criminality, under developed moral reasoning
  • DEVELOP EMPIRICAL METHODS - Moral interviews = general laws produced, CBT to overcome irrational thinking patterns
  • FREEWILL - if free will is taken into account = impossible to understand how cognitive distortions can lead to HAB & minimalization = predisposing criminality

Disadvantages

  • SOCIAL DESIRABILITY ISSUES - Kohlberg's theory based on hypothetical "dilemma" tasks, p's may be unsure how to act naturally, difficult to apply to real life scenarios, generalisability is difficult
  • IGNORES NATURE-NURTURE- 0 social & bio explanations e.g DAT & inherited criminality
  • Lacks consideration of underlying stress (inherit traits & overwhelm morality) e.g non-verbal cues, misrepresentation mental health = aggressive & impulsive, everyone minimises
  • ETHICAL ISSUES - Maruna & Mann (2006) argued FAE minimisation treatment should focus more on future responsibility over blaming criminals - synoptic link to Zimbardo (situational attribution)

Evaluation

To sum up, despite the supporting evidence from Gudjonsson & Sigurdsson on the lack of moral reasoning, the ethical issues involved is a significant concern in methods of modifying criminality. 

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