Deviant Cognitions: Analysing Cognitive-Behavioural Factors Associated with Recidivism

• In Event: Cognitive capacities and criminal behaviour

Abstract

The cognitive-behavioural position postulates that offenders have a cognitive structure comprising of criminogenic schemata that have been developed through their experiences of problematic social and environmental conditions. It is proposed that individuals who experience frequent traumas have a higher probability of repeating these events throughout their lives. The complexity of these events could lead to the development of maladaptive schemata and thus psychological and emotional distress in later life which could be expressed through offending behaviour.

The findings of this study form part of the quantitative phase of a broader study conducted, whereby 202 known recidivists from four different provinces in South Africa were requested to complete a general recidivism questionnaire. Both descriptive and inferential statistical techniques in the form of means, frequencies and chi-square tests were used, allowing for relational analysis to be conducted between items to determine significant factors associated with repeat offenders in the sample.

A significant number of participants had deviant decision making cognitive structures, using crime as a means to solve challenges in their lives. Participants also showed signs of an external locus of control believing they had good reason to commit their crimes, showed high levels of egocentricity and anger/aggression indicating its instrumental value in problem solving. Interestingly, participants showed an awareness of the effect their behaviour had on their victims but actively neutralised these thoughts. These findings provide evidence for a cognitive-behavioural structure that includes conventional beliefs but requires neutralisation to address the disequilibrium between these beliefs and their behaviour.

Author

• Matthew Cronje, University of the Free State