Cognitive distortions are errors or biases in information processing characterised by faulty thinking.
We all occasionally exhibit faulty thinking, but research shows this is a much more typical way for offenders to interpret their behaviour and justify their actions.
Schönenberg and Jusyte (2014) 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 use euphemisms, e.g. 'doing a job' or 'supporting my family' as a way of minimising the seriousness of their actions and their sense of guilt.
This is particularly likely in sex offenders - Barbaree found 54% rapists denied they had committed an offence at all and a further 40% minimised the harm they had caused to the victim.
