Cognitive distortions

• What are cognitive distortions?

  • irrational thought patterns that twist reality, leading to incorrect perceptions of events
• How do cognitive distortions relate to criminal behaviour?

  • they allow offenders to deny or rationalise their actions, reducing feelings of guilt
• What is attribution in psychology?

  • the process of interpreting others actions and inferring their intentions
• What is hostile attribution bias?


  • the tendency to assume that others’ actions are threatening or hostile, even when they are neutral
• How does hostile attribution bias link to criminal behaviour?

  • it is linked to increased aggression, leading to violent or impulsive crimes
• What is minimalisation in cognitive distortions?

  • underestimating the consequences of one’s action, reducing guilt or responsibility
• How does minimalisation relate to criminal behaviour?

  • offenders justify their actions by downplaying their impact, making it easier to commit crimes
• Give an example of minimalisation in crime

  • a burglar believing that stealing from a wealthy family causes little harm