Cognitive and moral development in assaultive and non-assaultive criminal: the case of Pakistan generalized and correction population
List of Authors
  • Novel Anak Lyndon , Tarique Muhammad Nizamani

Keyword
  • Cognitive, moral development, criminals, assaultive, non-assaultive

Abstract
  • This article was undertaken in an attempt to integrate data from the realm of personality psychology with data of a more sociological nature. The main objective of the research was to explore differences between assaultive and non-assaultive criminals in the general areas of moral and cognitive development. In the study 38 males convicted of various offenses, both assaultive and non-assaultive, were administered a detailed demographics interview, and the processes they employ in the evaluation of self and others were assessed. T-tests were computed on the cognitive and moral development variables, and multiple regression was carried out with the cognitive and moral development variables. The results indicated that there is more involved in moral decision making than can be assessed by a simple pencil and paper technique, and demonstrated that logical reasoning skills are not a major area of difference between assaultive and non-assaultive criminals.

Reference
  • 1. Clininbeard, S. S., & Murray, C. I. (2012). Perceived support, belonging, and possible selves strategies among incarcerated juvenile offenders. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 42, 1218-1240. doi:10.1111/j.1559-1816.2011.00884.x
    2. Kochanska, G. (2002). Committed compliance, moral self, and internalization: A meditational model. Developmental Psychology, 38, 339-351.
    3. Kohlberg, L. (1976). Moral stages and moralization the cognitive develop mental approach. In T. Lickona (Ed.), Moral development and behavior theory, research, and social issues (pp. 31-53). New York: Holt, Rinehart, and Winston.
    4. Kohlberg, L. (1980). Stages of moral development as a basis for moral education. In B. Munsey (Ed.), Moral development, moral education, and Kohlberg. Birmingham, Ala.: Religious Education Press.
    5. Manzi, C., Vignoles, V. L., & Regalia, C. (2010). Accommodating a new identity: Possible selves, identity change and well-being across two life-transitions. European Journal of Social Psychology, 40, 970-984. doi:10.1002/ejsp.669
    6. Maruna, S. (2001). Making good: How ex-convicts reform and rebuild their lives. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.
    7. Maruna, S., Wilson, L., & Curran, K. (2006). Why God is often found behind bars: Prison conversions and the crisis of self-narrative. Research in Human Development, 3(2-3), 161-184. doi:10.1207/s15427617rhd0302&3_6
    8. McAdams, D. P. (2001). The psychology of life stories. Review of General Psychology, 5(2), 100-122. doi:10.1037/1089-2680.5.2.10
    9. McAdams, D. P. (2006). The redemptive self: Stories Americans live by — Revised and expanded edition. New York, NY: Oxford University Press.
    10. Piaget, J. (1952). The origins of intelligence in children (M. Cook, Trans.). New York: International Universities Press.
    11. Piaget, J. (1970). Piaget's theory. In P. H. Mussen {Ed.), Carmichael's manual of child psychology, (Vol. 1, 3rd ed.). New York: Wiley
    12. Piaget, J. (1932). The moral judgment of the child. New York: The Free Press.
    13. Piaget, J. and Inhelder, B. (1969). The psychology of the child (H. Weaver, Trans.). New York: Basic Books.
    14. Pratt, T., Cullen, F., Sellers, C., Winfree, L., Madensen, T., Daigle, L., Gau, J. (2010). The empirical status of social learning theory: A meta-analysis. Justice Quarterly, 27(6), 765-802. doi:10.1080/07418820903379610
    15. Rest, J. R. (1972) Defining issues test. Minneapolis: Minnesota Moral Research Projects.
    16. Rest, J. R. (1979a). Development in judging moral issues. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press.
    17. Rest, J. R. (1979b). Revised manual for the defining issues test an objective test of moral judgment development. Minneapolis: Minnesota Moral Research Projects.
    18. Rest, J. R. (1980). Development in moral judgment research. Developmental Psychology, 251-256.
    19. Rest, J. R. (1981). Morality. In J. Flavell and E.Markman (Eds.), Carmichael's manual of child’s psychology, volume on cognitive development 4th ed New York: Wiley.
    20. Robinson, D., & Porporino, F. (2001). Programming in cognitive skills: The reasoning and rehabilitation programme. In C. R. Hollin (Ed.), Handbook of offender assessment and treatment (pp. 179-193). Chichester: John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
    21. Salgado, J., & Hermans, H. J. M. (2005). The return of subjectivity: From a multiplicity of selves to the dialogical self. E-Journal of Applied Psychology: Clinical Section, 1(1), 3-13
    22. Walters, G. (2005). Recidivism in released lifestyle change program participants. Criminal Justice and Behavior, 32(1), 50-68. doi:10.1177/0093854804270628
    23. Walters, G. (2006). The psychological inventory of criminal thinking styles (PICT) professional manual. Allentown, PA: Center for Lifestyles Studies.
    24. Walters, G. 2007. Predicting institutional adjustment with the Lifestyle Criminality Screening Form and the Antisocial Features and Aggression Scales of the PAI. Journal of Personality Assessment, 88(10), 99-105. doi:10.1080/00223890709336840
    25. Walters, G. (2008). Self-report measures of psychopathy, antisocial personality, and criminal lifestyle: Testing and validating a two-dimensional model. Criminal Justice and Behavior, 35(12), 1459-1483. doi:10.1177/0093854808320922
    26. Walters, G. (2012). Crime in a psychological context: From career criminals to criminal careers. Los Angeles: CA: Sage.
    27. Walters, G. (2015). Short-term goals and physically hedonistic values as mediators of the past-crime-future crime relationship. Legal and Criminological, 20, 81-95. doi:10.1111/lcrp.12014
    28. Wills, T., & Dishion, T. (2004). Temperament and adolescent substance abuse: A transactional analysis of emerging self-control. Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, 33, 69-81. doi:10.1207/S15374424JCCP3301_7
    29. Wilson, D., Bouffard, L., & MacKensie, D. (2005). A quantitative review of structured, group oriented, cognitive-behavioral programs for offenders. Criminal Justice and Behavior, 32(2), 172-204. doi:10.1177/0093854804272889