cognitive explanation

• What did Kohlberg propose about the moral reasoning of criminals compared to non-criminals?

  Criminals have a LOWER LEVEL of moral reasoning than non-criminals.
• How did Kohlberg classify individuals based on their reactions to moral dilemmas?

  He classified them as operating at one of three levels of moral development.
• What did Kohlberg find about violent youths compared to non-violent youths?

  Violent youths were significantly lower in their level of moral development than non-violent youths.
• At which stage are criminals more likely to be classified according to Kohlberg's theory?

  Criminals are more likely to be classified at the preconventional stage 1.
• What characterizes the preconventional level of moral reasoning?

  It is characterized by a need to avoid punishment and gain rewards, associated with immature, childlike reasoning.
• What percentage of the population is likely to progress to stage 3- postconventional morality?


  A minority of any population only ever progress to stage 3- postconventional morality.
• What did Palmer and Hollin find in their comparison of moral reasoning among different groups?

  Offenders demonstrated a lower level of moral reasoning than non-offenders, supporting Kohlberg's theory.
• What explanation did psychologists propose for the difference in moral reasoning between offenders and non-offenders?

  Criminals may have a lack of opportunities in childhood to engage in role-play, which could be a crucial preventative measure.
• What is Gibbs' criticism of Kohlberg's theory?

  Gibbs argues that Kohlberg's theory is culturally biased and only relevant in Western culture.
• How can political climates affect moral reasoning according to Gibbs?

  Political climates can hugely affect individual differences in the outcome of moral reasoning stages.
• What did research show about the level of moral reasoning in different types of criminals?

  Petty criminals are more likely to be at stage 1, while impulsive criminals demonstrate no moral reasoning whatsoever.
• What biological explanation is provided for impulsive crimes like assault or murder?

  These crimes may be explained by the "primal brain" (amygdala) taking over, leading to a lack of thinking before acting.
• What are cognitive distortions in the context of criminal behavior?

  Cognitive distortions are errors or biases in information processing caused by irrational or faulty thinking.
• What is Hostile Attribution Bias (HAB)?

  HAB is the tendency to assume that everyone is massively hostile, misinterpreting others' actions.
• What did Schonenberg's study reveal about offenders' perceptions of neutral facial expressions?

  Offenders were significantly more likely to judge neutral faces as angry and hostile compared to a matched non-aggressive control group.
• What is minimalization in the context of criminal behavior?

  Minimalisation is the tendency to deny or downplay the seriousness of an offense.
• How do sex offenders typically exhibit minimalisation?

  Sex offenders often deny committing an offense or minimize the harm caused to the victim.
• What is a major issue with the cognitive approach to understanding criminal behavior?

  The cognitive approach describes what criminals are thinking but does not explain why they are thinking it.
• What are the key cognitive distortions associated with criminal behavior?

  • Hostile Attribution Bias (HAB)
  • Tendency to assume hostility in others
  • Minimalisation
  • Denying or downplaying the seriousness of offenses
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of Kohlberg's theory of moral reasoning?

  Strengths:

  • Provides a framework for understanding moral development
  • Supported by empirical research

  
  

  Weaknesses:

  • Culturally biased
  • Lacks explanatory power for why crimes are committed