Cognitive explanations of offending behaviour
Cognitive explanations argue that faulty thinking patterns cause criminal behaviour. Offenders process social situations differently from non-offenders, leading them to make decisions that result in crime.
Real World
Cognitive-behavioural programmes used in UK prisons, such as the Enhanced Thinking Skills (ETS) programme, train offenders to stop and think before acting, consider consequences, and interpret social cues more accurately — directly targeting the faulty thinking patterns this explanation identifies.
Exam Focus
Distinguish Kohlberg's moral reasoning from cognitive distortions — they are separate cognitive routes and examiners reward precise terminology.
Evaluation Scaffold
A four-step framework for high-quality evaluation. Use this for 'assess', 'evaluate', and 'to what extent' questions.
How well did you know this?