Cognitive Explanations of Offending

• What are the two cognitive explanations of offending behaviour?

  1. Cognitive distortions
  2. Kohlberg’s theory of moral reasoning
• What are cognitive distortions?

  Faulty, biased, and irrational ways of thinking
• How do cognitive distortions affect a person's perception of events?

  They perceive events inaccurately and negatively
• How might cognitive distortions link to offender behaviour?

  They allow denial or rationalisation of actions
• What is hostile attribution bias?

  Tendency to misinterpret actions as aggressive
• How can hostile attribution bias trigger violent responses?

  By misreading non-aggressive cues as threats
• What is minimalisation in the context of offending behaviour?

  Downplaying the seriousness of one's offence
• How might a burglar use minimalisation to justify their crime?

  By claiming it won't affect the victims' lives
• How do cognitive distortions manifest in offenders' justifications?

  • Denial of responsibility
  • Blaming victims
  • Trivializing actions
• What is the Heinz dilemma related to in moral development?

  Kohlberg's theory of moral reasoning
• What is the main focus of the Heinz dilemma discussion?

  Why a decision is made, not the decision itself
• What should be considered when discussing the police's actions in the Heinz dilemma?

  If they should arrest the chemist for murder