Cognitive distortions

• Cognitive distortions are errors or biases in people's information processing system characterised by faulty thinking.
• We all occasionally exhibit faulty thinking, but research shows this is a much more typical way for criminals to interpret their behaviour and justify their actions
• Schonenberg and Justye found violent offenders were more likely than non-offenders to perceive ambiguous facial expressions as angry and hostile
• Offenders misread non-aggressive cues (e.g. being 'looked at') and this can trigger a disproportionate and violent response
• Minimalisation reduces a person's sense of guilt. For example, burglars may describe themselves as 'doing a job' or 'supporting my family' as a way of minimising the seriousness of their actions and their sense of guilt
• Minimalisation is particularly likely in sex offenders- Pollock and Hashmall found 35% of a sample of sex molesters argued the crime they had committed was non-sexual (e.g. 'being affectionate') and 36% states the victim consented