Inmate Thinking patterns

Inmate Thinking patterns: An Empirical Investigation

Abstract

This study investigated patterns of maladaptive thinking in 435 offenders and sought to develop and preliminarily validate a measure of criminal thinking patterns. An exploratory factor analysis of 77 thinking errors derived from four theories of cognitive distortions that influence behavior yielded a three-factor model of dysfunctional thinking among offenders. Interpretations of these three factors were provided (i.e., Control, Cognitive Immaturity, and Egocentrism). Implications for treatment and future research with offenders, using the conceptualization of erroneous thinking posited by the three-factor model, are discussed.
 
Jon T. Mandracchia, Robert D. Morgan, Sheila Garos, J. Travis Garland: Texas Tech University
Criminal Justice and Behavior August 2007 vol. 34 no. 8 1029-1043
 
Source: http://cjb.sagepub.com/content/34/8/1029.abstract
 
(reprinted with permission)