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Helen works in Egton prison with offenders who have committed burglary - AQA - A-Level Psychology - Question 8 - 2018 - Paper 2
Question 8
Helen works in Egton prison with offenders who have committed burglary. She is considering using a cognitive-behavioural treatment for the offenders at the prison. ... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Helen works in Egton prison with offenders who have committed burglary - AQA - A-Level Psychology - Question 8 - 2018 - Paper 2
Step 1
Describe how one cognitive-behavioural treatment could be used by Helen for the offenders at the prison.
Answer
One cognitive-behavioural treatment Helen could use is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). This approach aims to provide offenders with insights into their thoughts and behaviors related to their criminal actions.
In practice, Helen may conduct group sessions where she encourages participants to reflect on the thoughts and beliefs that led them to commit burglary. She would guide them in identifying cognitive distortions, such as justifying their actions or minimizing the consequences of their behavior.
Through structured exercises, Helen can help offenders reframe their thoughts and develop pro-social patterns of thinking. This might involve role-playing scenarios in which they face temptations related to their past behaviors, allowing them to practice healthier responses. The program could span over several weeks, with sessions held regularly to reinforce learning.
Step 2
Explain one strength and one weakness of one cognitive-behavioural treatment for offenders.
Answer
One strength of CBT is its evidence-based approach, which has shown effectiveness in reducing recidivism rates among offenders. Studies such as those conducted by Chen et al. (2015) indicate that offenders undergoing CBT tend to exhibit decreased aggressive behaviors and improved coping mechanisms. This structured intervention equips them with strategies to handle triggers that may lead to criminal thoughts or actions.
However, a weakness of CBT is that it may not address deeply rooted emotional issues or traumas that contribute to offending behaviors. Offenders who are not ready or willing to discuss their emotional challenges may find the process ineffective, as they might be reluctant to engage with the cognitive strategies presented.