Introduction to the Special Issue on Offender Cognition and Emotion (original) (raw)

Forensic Psychology Module 2 Verity Santy

This paper explores published articles that report on the key factors of two theories of developmental and psychological theories of offending. I examine the contravening and contrasting aspects of the theories and policy implications attached. I will consider what could possibly prove or disprove a theory and the belief that long term anti-social behavior reflects continuity in the environment.

Back to Basics: The Application of Cognitive and Behavior Theory to Forensic Treatment

Journal of Cognitive Psychotherapy, 2010

Since 1976, when the landmark case Estelle v. Gamble first recognized the right of prisoners to medical care, subsequent legislation has expanded this right to include mental health treatment for serious disorders. National standards for the treatment of prisoners and other forensic populations have been developed, and continue to be debated. Research studies on effective interventions with forensic populations, as well as the large body of literature pertaining to empirically supported psychotherapies in general clinical samples, offer insights for the effective treatment of offenders. However, many gaps in knowledge remain. In particular, questions exist about whether transmission of empirically supported treatments (ESTs) from the lab into forensic contexts is possible. Moreover, there is little guidance available regarding how to adapt treatments for appropriate use in forensic settings, while maintaining fidelity to essential treatment principles. This article provides a framework for synthesizing literature related to this endeavor, and serves as an introduction to the special theme: applications of cognitive and behavioral therapy to forensic treatment.

The psychology of criminal conduct: a consideration of strengths, weaknesses and future directions

Psychology, Crime & Law, 2018

Our understanding of the psychology of criminal conduct has progressed markedly in the last 30 to 40 years. We provide a brief overview of the seminal work of Andrews and Bonta, the Psychology of Criminal Conduct, and its four key components. As theory evaluation and revision is a crucial task in informing practice we consider some of the strengths and weaknesses of this approach. We then explore issues with the measurement, conceptualization and determination of dynamic risk factors (DRF). We argue that it is important to be open to critiquing such influential works as the PCC, as a deeper understanding of DRF will result in more effective assessment and treatment processes, and greater reductions in recidivism. This does not mean abandoning all we know about risk, it means enhancing our ability to locate the causes of problems and target these in interventions. Suggestions are made about developing models of human behavior that can depict the functions and interrelationships of DRF across time and how improvements in the conceptualization, and explanatory depth, of DRF may assist in the development of the PCC. These developments will ensure we provide the best interventions, with the most promising outcomes, that will benefit individuals and their community.

Cognitive distortions in sex offenders: An integrative review

Clinical Psychology Review, 1997

Clinicians and researchers have noted that maladaptive beliefs and distorted thinking play an important role in facilitating or justifjing sexual offenses. There have been a number of attempts to describe the nature of these beliefs and to develop ways of measuring them, but in the absence of any integrating theory. We suggest that an understanding of the cognitive processes underEying the initiation, maintenance, and justafication of sexual offending is a vital prerequisite to the development of successful treatment programs. In this paper; we use a social cognition framework to reoiew the literature on the role of cognition in sexual offending. Pertinent research in the sexual offending domain, specifically cognitive products, information processing, cognitive change, and the impact of affective and motivational factors on cognitive processes, is described and related to the social cognitive approach. Implications for future research and clinical practice are discussed in light of the major issues and problems highlighted in our review. 0 1997 ELsevier Science Ltd SEXUAL OFFENSES against women and children constitute a pernicious and distressingly prevalent social problem. The psychological and emotional costs to victims and their families, the high reoffending rates of some types of offenders, and the financial costs of incarceration all highlight the urgent need for effective research and treatment of this problem behavior (Furby,