Cognitive explanations of offending behaviour. We will consider two cognitive explanations of offending behaviour here. Level of moral reasoning Kohlberg proposed a stage theory of moral development (see below) in which some individuals do not progress past certain levels. The higher the stage the more sophisticated the moral reasoning. He based his theory on people's responses to a series of moral dilemmas, such as the Heinz dilemma. Kohlberg claims that crimes may be committed by individuals who have a lower level of moral reasoning than non-criminals. Level Stage Reasoning behind committing a crime. Level 1 Stage 1 Obedience & Basic reasoning: Will I be punished? If punishment – punishment orientation is not definite, a crime is likely to be committed. conventional morality Stage 2 Instrumental What is there to gain from criminal behaviour. If – orientation or personal gain the potential gains are good then the crime is more likely to occur. 2 3 'Good boy/girl' What other people think? If the closest people – Conventional orientation are criminals then the crime is more likely to occur. morality Is the act illegal? Someone at this stage would be Stage 4 Law and Order less likely to commit a crime. – orientation Level 3 5 Social contract Adhering to the law but may commit a in – legalistic orientation certain circumstances, where they may feel the law should not apply. morality Stage 6 – Universal ethical The individual has their own moral code and may principles orientation commit a crime if they feel the law is unjust. Notes Many studies have suggested that criminals tend to show a level of moral reasoning than
Cognitive explanations of offending behaviour. We will consider two cognitive explanations of offending behaviour here. Level of moral reasoning Kohlberg proposed a stage theory of moral development (see below) in which some individuals do not progress past certain levels. The higher the stage the more sophisticated the moral reasoning. He based his theory on people's responses to a series of moral dilemmas, such as the Heinz dilemma. Kohlberg claims that crimes may be committed by individuals who have a lower level of moral reasoning than non-criminals. Level Stage Reasoning behind committing a crime. Level 1 morality Stage 1 – Obedience & punishment orientation Stage 2 – Instrumental orientation or personal gain Basic reasoning: Will I be punished? If punishment is not definite, a crime is likely to be committed. What is there to gain from criminal behaviour. If the potential gains are good then the crime is more likely to occur. 2 Conventional morality 3 – 'Good boy/girl' orientation Stage 4 – Law and Order orientation What other people think? If the closest people are criminals then the crime is more likely to occur. Is the act illegal? Someone at this stage would be less likely to commit a crime. Level 3 morality 5 – Social contract legalistic orientation Stage 6 – Universal ethical principles orientation Adhering to the law but may commit a in certain circumstances, where they may feel the law should not apply. The individual has their own moral code and may commit a crime if they feel the law is unjust. Notes Many studies have suggested that criminals tend to show a level of moral reasoning than conventional
1718forensic_psychology_pack.docx