criminogenic thinking: identification and intervention
TRANSCRIPT
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Criminogenic ThinkingDr. Dawn-Elise Snipes PhD, LPC-MHSP, LMHC, NCC, SPARC
Executive Director, AllCEUs.com
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Define criminogenic thinking patterns Compare and contrast criminogenic and
addictive thinking patterns Identify behaviors employed because of these
thinking patterns Explore the benefits to these behaviors and
thinking patterns Identify interventions to address these patterns
Objectives
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Low Self Control ◦ Impulsivity◦ Inability to delay gratification
Defensive and/or Manipulative Here and Now Orientation Poor Interpersonal Skills (Empathy, Communication) Low Self-Esteem Ineffective Coping Skills
Characteristics
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closed channel thinking victim stance “good person” stance “unique person” stance fear of exposure lack-of-time perspective selective effort use of power to control seek excitement first ownership stance
Criminal Thinking Patterns
Addictive Thinking Patterns
closed channel thinking self-pity stance “good person” stance “unique person” stance fear of exposure lack-of-time perspective selective effort use of deceit to control seek pleasure first ownership stance
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Closed Channel Thinking Not receptive to any constructive feedback/not self critical No disclosure Lies by omission
◦ "I don't remember."◦ "That's none of your business.”◦ "I didn't lie. I told you I wasn't at work. I just didn't say I was fired”
Good at pointing out, giving feedback on faults of others◦ If you wouldn’t have….◦ You have no room to talk about me when you…
Motivation/Benefit?
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Victim Stance Views self as victim
Extremely external locus of control… “Nobody will give me a chance”
Motivation/Benefit? Intervention
Identify all-or-nothing cognitive distortions (find exceptions)
Identify the things he or she has control over
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Victim Stance Blames others
Motivation/Benefit? Intervention
Role play the other person’s position to understand their motivations
Three finger rule
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Views Self As A Good Person Focuses only on his/her positive attributes
◦ Motivation/Benefit? Fails to acknowledge his/her destructive behavior
◦ Motivation/Benefit? Builds self up at others expense
◦ Motivation/Benefit? Intervention
Constructive Feedback Sandwich Explore feedback as specific information about a changeable
behavior
Lack Of Effort / Selective Effort Unwilling to do anything he/she finds boring or
disagreeable◦ "I can't" meaning "I won't“◦ Doing only the minimum to get by
Motivation/Benefit? Intervention
◦ Premack principle◦ Decisional balance exercise◦ Explore what it means to do the task
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Lack of Interest in Responsibility Responsible living viewed as unexciting and
unsatisfying◦ No sense of obligation◦ Will respond only if there is an immediate payoff
Motivation/Benefit? Intervention
Premack principle (again)
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Lack Of Time Perspective Does not use past as a learning tool
◦ Or cannot (FASD) Expects others to act immediately on his/her/demands Decisions on assumptions (and feelings), not facts Motivation/Benefit? Interventions
◦ Explore relapses/reoffending for commonalities ◦ Provide training on problem solving using the wise mind◦ Practice perspective taking
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Fear Of Fear Very Fearful of
◦ Loss of Control (of people, situations, emotions)◦ Failure/Rejection (What they do is who they are)◦ Isolation◦ The Unknown
Often externally validated/low-self esteem Interventions
◦ Self-Esteem building◦ Learning about basic fears and fight or flight responses
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Power Thrust Need to be in control of every situation Uses manipulation and deceit Always looking for an angle to get the upper hand Motivation/Benefit? Intervention
Explore underlying fears “What happens if you are not…”
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Uniqueness Different and better than others
“I’ve got this”“Who are you to tell me what to do”“I’m not going to…”
Quits at the first sign of failure
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Ownership Attitude Perceives everything as a transaction or a
commodityMoneySexPower/connectionsDrugs
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Criminal Thinking TacticsContinuously point out staff inadequacies
◦ Thank them for their input, but do not reward the behavior◦ Assign them to “assist” the staff person
Building self up by putting others down◦ Have them identify two positive characteristics about the other
person◦ Have them explain what they gained by putting the other person
downTelling others what they want to hear
◦ Discuss what the benefit is to this behavior◦ Practice identifying and asserting own wants and needs
Lying, distorting the truth◦ Identify the facts for and against the truth
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Criminal Thinking TacticsVagueness
◦ Require details--- Who, What, When, Where, Why and HowDiverts attention/Throws focus
◦ Firmly stay on focus◦ Point out the behavior and examine the motivation
Putting others on the defensive◦ Regularly use the 3 finger rule
Accusing others of misunderstanding/Attempting to confuse◦ Document and/or record important conversations◦ Have a witness for discussions
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Criminal Thinking Tactics cont.Minimizes/Rationalizes the situation
◦ Point out discrepancies “You say its not a thing, but…”◦ Examine alternatives “I had no other choice”
Agrees without meaning it◦ Encourage them to identify three reasons why it is a good
idea or explain why they think it is a bad idea◦ Ask for alternate opinions/solutions
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Criminal Thinking Tactics cont.Claiming that they have changed because they did something right, once!
◦ Reward the behavior and encourage them to keep a journal to demonstrate their ongoing improvements
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The Criminogenic Need Principle Criminogenic needs constitute dynamic risk factors or attributes of offenders that, when
changed, influence the probability of recidivism.
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Addressing Criminal Thinking Improve communication skills (assertiveness) Improve interpersonal skills
EmpathySelf-AwarenessSelf-Esteem
Develop sane, sober, stable relationships
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Addressing Criminal Thinking Complete decisional balance exercises and
use motivational enhancement techniques toExamine motivations for antisocial behavior Identify alternate pro-social behaviors OR Tip the
scale Develop self-control and self-soothing skills Develop skills to avoid or cope with high-risk
settings
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Addressing Criminal Thinking cont. Develop responsibility for own behavior and
actions Modify Moral Code or Reasoning
Examine past behaviors and reasoning for why they were okay then
Discuss if those same behaviors are okay now. Why or why not.
Develop coping skills (Learn-Practice-Review) Improve problem solving skills Ensure they are able to meet their basic needs
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Resources Texas Christian University (TCU)
http://www.ibr.tcu.eduCriminal Thinking ScalesTesting Forms
Criminal Thinking Therapyhttp://www.criminalthinking.netWorkbooks Entire curriculum
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Most people who commit crimes have certain shared cognitive distortions, behaviors and needs
Some cognitive errors include: Entitlement All-or-nothing thinking Impulsivity (Gotta have it now) Need for external validation
Summary
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Access to basic housing, food and employment
Prosocial support systems Healthy communication and relationship skills Positive self-esteem Effective coping skills and resources Written relapse prevention plan
Summary
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If the criminal behaviors or substance use are serving to help the person escape or avoid pain and continue to be done despite negative consequences, and produces physiological or psychological withdrawal, then it would qualify as an addiction
Summary