psychological explanations - cognitive

• Moral reasoning is the process of assessing whether something is right or wrong based on your own value system.

  Kohlberg proposed that people decisions and judgements about right and wrong can be identified in his stage theory of moral development
• Kohlberg:

  • Criminal offenders are more likely to be classified at the pre-conventional level (a need to avoid punishment and gain rewards, less mature childlike reasoning)
  • Adults who believe they can get away with a crime and gain rewards may turn to crime.
  • Non-criminals have generally progressed to the conventional level and beyond
• Research shows offenders are more egocentric and show less empathy

  Those who reason at a higher level can sympathise with others, exhibit honesty and are non-violent
• strength -

  Research comparing offenders and non offenders using a scale of 11 moral dilemma questions and found offenders showed less mature moral reasoning than the control.

  This supports Kohlberg’s theory and suggests that focus should be placed on developing moral reasoning in children to reduce offending behaviour.
• weakness -

  Gibbs revised Kohlberg’s theory into 2 levels of moral reasoning, mature and immature, arguing the preconventional level was biased towards Western cultures.

  This contradicts Kohlberg’s theory and suggests an updated version may be more valid and universal.
• Cognitive distortions are faulty, irrational ways of thinking which can caused people to perceive themselves, others, or the world inaccurately and usually negatively.
• Hostile attribution bias – violence is caused by the perception that other people’s acts are aggressive or confrontational.
• Minimalisation – downplaying the seriousness of an offences to reduce a sense of guilt.
• strength -

  CBT has helped offenders to ‘face up’ to their behaviour with a less distorted view of their actions. Some research has suggested reducing denial and minimisation in therapy is correlated with reducing reoffending.

  The cognitive explanation is therefore supported by evidence and is linked to effective rehabilitation techniques.