The Cognitive Distortions and Implicit Theories of Child Sexual Abusers

Thakker, Jo; Ward, Tony; Navathe, Shruti

doi:10.1002/9780470746295.ch1

Cited by 12 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 36 publications

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“…The literature on over-arching schemas (Thakker, Ward, & Navathe, 2007) and implicit theories describes several classes of mitigating self-statements that are employed by rapists. Each of these classes suggests a means by which inhibition on performing sexual violence can be reduced:…”

Section: The Role Of Mitigating Self-statementsmentioning

confidence: 99%

A framework for understanding sexual violence: Incentive-motivation and hierarchical control

Toates

Smid

Berg

2017

Aggression and Violent Behavior

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The article applies an incentive-motivation model to sexual violence. It suggests that insights can be gained by looking at the biopsychological processes that underlie 'conventional behavior'. It argues that sexual violence, as in rape, arises from a fusion between (i) sexual motivation and (ii) sensation-seeking and varying strengths of dominance/aggression motivations. The excitatory part of the motivational system is rooted in brain dopamine and sexual violence is expressed in behavior when excitation exceeds inhibition. The assumptions are framed within the principle of the hierarchical control of behavior. The incentive-motivation and hierarchical framework can yield insights into such phenomena as planning and impulsivity, future discounting, habituation and escalation, violence as addiction, the role of fetishes, sexual fantasy, stress, drugs and brain development.

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Section: The Role Of Mitigating Self-statementsmentioning

confidence: 99%

A framework for understanding sexual violence: Incentive-motivation and hierarchical control

Toates

Smid

Berg

2017

Aggression and Violent Behavior

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“…Some research has indicated that clinical and research attention should focus on sexual offenders' cognitive structures and cognitive processes underlying cognitive distortions, for assessing offenders and preventing recidivism (Kanters et al., ; Mann & Beech, ; Maruna & Mann, ; Thakker, Ward, & Navathe, ; Ward, ; Ward, Gannon, & Keown, ; Ward & Keenan, ). What individuals can introspectively access and express to some extent, however, is neither cognitive structures nor cognitive processes but cognitive products, that is, “the thoughts, inferences, understandings, and imagery” (Langton, , p. 95).…”

Section: Critique and Significance Of Questionnaire Studies On Sexualmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cognitive Distortions of Child Molesters on Probation or Parole in Japan

Katsuta¹,

Hazama

2016

Jpn Psychol Res

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The present study examined cognitive distortions of child molesters on probation or parole in Japan utilizing an 18-item questionnaire administered in a treatment program conducted by the probation officers. This study analyzed the responses of child molesters (n = 51), non-child-molesting sexual offenders (n = 65), and non-offenders (n = 64). Factor analysis of the responses showed three types of cognitive distortions: Rationalization of Offending Behavior, Minimization of Responsibility for Offending, and Minimization of Victim Harm. Welch's analysis of variance followed by Games-Howell post hoc tests revealed that the child molesters scored significantly higher than the non-offender group on the Rationalization of Offending Behavior subscale and the Minimization of Responsibility for Offending subscale, and significantly higher than the non-child-molesting sexual offender group on the Minimization of Responsibility for Offending subscale. The authors discuss the meanings of these three types of cognitive distortions and future research issues.

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“…In other words, they appear to think that cognitive distortions have a maintenance rather than a causal relationship with sex offending (Mann & Beech, 2003). The function of cognitive distortions is thus to act as a defensive mechanism (Thakker, Ward, & Navathe, 2007) protecting the offender's ego from negative appraisal and consequent emotional states such as guilt. Mann & Beech (2003) recently critically evaluated Abel's original explanation of cognitive distortions and pointed out that it was unclear from the original paper whether they believed that cognitive distortions were conscious or unconscious.…”

Section: Locating Cognitive Distortions Within Theories Of Sexual Offmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cognitive distortions in child sex offenders: An overview of theory, research & practice

Navathe

Ward

Gannon

2008

Journal of Forensic Nursing

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A great deal of clinical and research attention has been paid to understanding and explaining child sex offenders' social cognition. Cognitive distortions have been implicated as a core feature of child sex offenders' offense supportive cognition. The primary aim of this paper is to critically evaluate the phenomenon of cognitive distortions as currently understood with respect to child sex offenders: it reviews the theoretical and research literature and highlights the implications for clinical practice.

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The Cognitive Distortions and Implicit Theories of Child Sexual Abusers

Cited by 12 publications

References 36 publications

A framework for understanding sexual violence: Incentive-motivation and hierarchical control

A framework for understanding sexual violence: Incentive-motivation and hierarchical control

Cognitive Distortions of Child Molesters on Probation or Parole in Japan

Cognitive distortions in child sex offenders: An overview of theory, research & practice

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