cognitive distortion:

• AO3: Cognitive distortions:


  STRENGTH:

  • application to therapy
  • CBT's aims to challenge irrational thinking
  • In offending behaviour, offenders are encouraged to 'face up' to what they've done and establish a less distorted view of their actions
  • Studies (Harkins et al) suggests that reduced incidences od denial and minimisation in therapy is highly associated with a reduced risk of reoffending
  • Suggests cognitive distortion theory has practical value
• AO3: Cognitive distortion

  LIMITATION

  • may depend on the type of offence
  • Howitt and Sheldon 2007 gathered questionnaire responses from sexual offenders
  • Contrary to what the researchers predicted they found non-sexual offenders (accessed sexual images on the internet) used more cognitive distortions that contact sexual offenders
  • Those who had a previous history of offending were more likely to use distortions as a justification
  • This suggests that distortions are not used in the same way by all offenders