Violent CognitionsViolent Cognitions

Lonnie AthensLonnie Athens

Jack BushJack Bush

Interpretive TheoryInterpretive Theory

N = 55 incarcerated offendersN = 55 incarcerated offenders

5 institutions in 2 states5 institutions in 2 states

(Athens, 1997)(Athens, 1997)

Pathways to Violence:Pathways to Violence:Interpretive TheoryInterpretive Theory

Physical DefensePhysical Defense FrustrativeFrustrative MaleficMalefic Frustrative/MaleficFrustrative/Malefic

(Athens, 1997)(Athens, 1997)

DefenseDefense

Victim is going to attack himVictim is going to attack him

Victim is attacking himVictim is attacking him

““He just kept looking. Then I started He just kept looking. Then I started thinking he was out to do something thinking he was out to do something to me. He pulled out a knife and to me. He pulled out a knife and made for me, and I shot him once in made for me, and I shot him once in the arm. He kept on coming, so I the arm. He kept on coming, so I had to finish him off.”had to finish him off.”

(Athens, 1997, p. 34)(Athens, 1997, p. 34)

FrustrativeFrustrative

Victim is or will resist his intentionsVictim is or will resist his intentions

E.g., rape, robbery car theftE.g., rape, robbery car theft

Victim has some intention he wants Victim has some intention he wants to resistto resist

E.g., calling policeE.g., calling police

““My friend and I were punching the My friend and I were punching the safe when a real young cop came in safe when a real young cop came in with his gun drawn and said, ‘You’re with his gun drawn and said, ‘You’re under arrest. Put your hands up.’ under arrest. Put your hands up.’ The first thing I thought was, ‘Here is The first thing I thought was, ‘Here is ten years and I don’t want to do any ten years and I don’t want to do any more fucking time.’”more fucking time.’”

(Athens, 1997, p. 38)(Athens, 1997, p. 38)

““I plain and simple needed to get some I plain and simple needed to get some good, hot, kinky sex but resented good, hot, kinky sex but resented having to rely on the generosity of having to rely on the generosity of women to hit on their pussies. . . My women to hit on their pussies. . . My days of begging . . . Were over.”days of begging . . . Were over.”

(Athens, 1997, p. 10)(Athens, 1997, p. 10)

FrustrativeFrustrative

““The way she moved made my rocks The way she moved made my rocks shake. I had to have her. So I shake. I had to have her. So I pretended to look for my dog. . . She pretended to look for my dog. . . She was polite but bitchy, you know. . . was polite but bitchy, you know. . . She goes, yea like get lost. Now I She goes, yea like get lost. Now I don’t give a fuck, you know. I reach don’t give a fuck, you know. I reach for her neck. Fuck you, I goes and for her neck. Fuck you, I goes and drag her inside the fuck’en shed.”drag her inside the fuck’en shed.”

(Stevens, 2001, p. 40)(Stevens, 2001, p. 40)

““A young woman came in with a bad cut on A young woman came in with a bad cut on her arm. . . From the way she talked and her arm. . . From the way she talked and acted, I got the impression she made acted, I got the impression she made men come after her. She was conceited men come after her. She was conceited and all wrapped up in herself. . . I tried to and all wrapped up in herself. . . I tried to get something going but her nose was get something going but her nose was too far up in the air.”too far up in the air.”

(Athens, 1997, p. 8) (Athens, 1997, p. 8)

MaleficMalefic

Victim belittling himVictim belittling him

Victim evil or maliciousVictim evil or malicious

MaleficMalefic

““We came to an intersection and We came to an intersection and slowed down when this big black slowed down when this big black dude in a Thunderbird coming the dude in a Thunderbird coming the other way cut us off in the other way cut us off in the intersection while he made a turn. intersection while he made a turn. Then he drove by us with a big grin Then he drove by us with a big grin on his face throwing the bone.”on his face throwing the bone.”

(Athens, 1997, p. 39)(Athens, 1997, p. 39)

MaleficMalefic

““That dirty jive n___ flipping me off and That dirty jive n___ flipping me off and grinning – now he thinks he’s one grinning – now he thinks he’s one bad n____.”bad n____.”

(Athens, 1997, p. 39)(Athens, 1997, p. 39)

Self-Images and InterpretationsSelf-Images and Interpretations

Nonviolent Nonviolent PhysicallyPhysically

DefensiveDefensive

Occasionally Violent Occasionally Violent PhysicallyPhysicallyDefensive Defensive

oror

Frustrative/Frustrative/MaleficMalefic

Continually ViolentContinually Violent All FourAll Four

Nonviolent Self Image: Aggravated AssaultNonviolent Self Image: Aggravated Assault

““[My husband] thought I had a lot of sense [My husband] thought I had a lot of sense for my age. He considered me a pretty for my age. He considered me a pretty good wife, and he knew that I had enough good wife, and he knew that I had enough class for him to take me anywhere. I was class for him to take me anywhere. I was intelligent and a good conversationalist intelligent and a good conversationalist and hostess. . . I felt like a lady and and hostess. . . I felt like a lady and wanted to be treated like a lady, but my wanted to be treated like a lady, but my husband was getting crazy and then husband was getting crazy and then embarrassing me in front of everybody embarrassing me in front of everybody behind his jealousy.”behind his jealousy.”

(Athens, 1997, p. 59)(Athens, 1997, p. 59)

Incipiently Violent Sex Images: Criminal HomicideIncipiently Violent Sex Images: Criminal Homicide

““I didn’t care about anything. I let myself go I didn’t care about anything. I let myself go completely. . . I was a bitter and bad-completely. . . I was a bitter and bad-tempered person. . . I felt rejected and like a tempered person. . . I felt rejected and like a stupid fool for letting my husband stupid fool for letting my husband mistreatment. I was getting fed up and mistreatment. I was getting fed up and easily angered by things. I made a lot of easily angered by things. I made a lot of awful threats to people, but they thought it awful threats to people, but they thought it was mostly just big talk. Everybody thought was mostly just big talk. Everybody thought that I would do little real action besides get that I would do little real action besides get drunk, scream and cuss, and throw things at drunk, scream and cuss, and throw things at people until I passed out.”people until I passed out.” (Athens, (Athens, 1997, p. 58)1997, p. 58)

Violent Self ImageViolent Self Image““I’m a man, and I want to be treated like a I’m a man, and I want to be treated like a

man. . . I don’t care who a person is or man. . . I don’t care who a person is or who they think they are either; they who they think they are either; they better not play around with me. I’ll show better not play around with me. I’ll show them who in the hell they’re playing with. them who in the hell they’re playing with. They’ll find out fast they aren’t fucking They’ll find out fast they aren’t fucking with any boy when they fuck with me. . . with any boy when they fuck with me. . . I’ve ruined more than one good man in I’ve ruined more than one good man in my time, and Jack, I’ll do it again too. my time, and Jack, I’ll do it again too. That’s the way I am and that’s the way I’ll That’s the way I am and that’s the way I’ll be until the day I die.” be until the day I die.”

(Athens, 1997, p. 57)(Athens, 1997, p. 57)

Dynamics of CrimeDynamics of Crime

Fixed Line of IntentionFixed Line of Intention Restraining JudgmentRestraining Judgment

Can’t winCan’t winVictim acquiescesVictim acquiesces Deference to 3Deference to 3rdrd party party Fears relationship lossFears relationship lossFear getting caughtFear getting caught

Overriding JudgmentOverriding Judgment

“’“’You, no-good tramp, dirty whore, you You, no-good tramp, dirty whore, you better tell me where in the hell you have better tell me where in the hell you have been.’ She said, “You are acting like been.’ She said, “You are acting like nothing but a bum. I’m not going to tell nothing but a bum. I’m not going to tell you anything. I thought to myself, ‘I’m you anything. I thought to myself, ‘I’m going to beat the damn truth out of that going to beat the damn truth out of that no-good, rotten bitch.’ . . But then I no-good, rotten bitch.’ . . But then I thought that if I went that far, she might thought that if I went that far, she might leave me, so I dropped it.”leave me, so I dropped it.”

(Athens, 1997, p. 48(Athens, 1997, p. 48

Creation of ViolenceCreation of Violence

Violent SubjugationViolent Subjugation

Personal HorrificationPersonal Horrification

Violent CoachingViolent Coaching

Criminogenic NeedsCriminogenic Needs

CriminogenicCriminogenic Non Non CriminogenicCriminogenic

Antisocial AttitudesAntisocial Attitudes Self-EsteemSelf-Esteem

Antisocial FriendsAntisocial Friends AnxietyAnxiety

Substance AbuseSubstance Abuse DepressionDepression

ImpulsivityImpulsivity

Targeting Criminogenic NeedsTargeting Criminogenic Needs

-0.05

0

0.05

0.1

0.15

0.2

0.25

0.3

0.35

Targets 1 - 3Noncriminogenic Needs

Targets 4 - 6CriminogenicNeeds

Gendreau, French & Taylor, 2002

Self Esteem Vs. Criminogenic Self Esteem Vs. Criminogenic NeedsNeeds

-0.1-0.05

00.050.1

0.150.2

0.250.3

0.350.4

Self Esteem

CriminogenicNeeds

Cognitive SkillsCognitive Skills

vsvs

Criminal ThinkingCriminal Thinking

Cognitive SkillsCognitive Skills

Problem DefinitionProblem Definition Problem SolvingProblem Solving Perspective TakingPerspective Taking Stop and ThinkStop and Think Generating AlternativesGenerating Alternatives Testing SolutionsTesting Solutions

Cognitive Self-ChangeCognitive Self-Change

Jack BushJack Bush

Cognitive Self-ChangeCognitive Self-Change

Thinking Controls BehaviorThinking Controls Behavior

When Thinking Changes, Behavior When Thinking Changes, Behavior ChangesChanges

““We don’t demand that offenders We don’t demand that offenders change. We do require that they change. We do require that they learn how to change.”learn how to change.”

Each GroupEach Group

Cognitive Check-InsCognitive Check-Ins

Thinking ReportsThinking Reports

TimingTiming

Check-InsCheck-Ins 3 to 5 minutes3 to 5 minutes

Thinking ReportsThinking Reports 1 hour1 hour

4 Steps in Cognitive Self 4 Steps in Cognitive Self ChangeChange

1.1. Report thoughts, feelings, attitudes Report thoughts, feelings, attitudes and beliefs.and beliefs.

2.2. Recognize how they lead to hurtful Recognize how they lead to hurtful actions.actions.

3.3. Use new thoughts, attitudes and Use new thoughts, attitudes and beliefs that lead away from trouble.beliefs that lead away from trouble.

4.4. PracticePractice

Cognitive Check InsCognitive Check Ins

1.1. Situation of inappropriate behavior Situation of inappropriate behavior or temptation of inappropriate or temptation of inappropriate behaviorbehavior

2.2. Report thoughts, feelings, attitudes Report thoughts, feelings, attitudes & beliefs& beliefs

3.3. How they put them at riskHow they put them at risk

4.4. Describe alternative thinking or Describe alternative thinking or could have usedcould have used

Cognitive Check InsCognitive Check Ins

Offenders only do Steps 1 & 2 until Offenders only do Steps 1 & 2 until proficientproficient

Only then add Step 3 Only then add Step 3 Offenders only do Steps 1, 2 and 3 Offenders only do Steps 1, 2 and 3

until proficientuntil proficient Then add Step 4Then add Step 4

Thinking ReportThinking Report

Situation/Thoughts/Feelings/AttitudesSituation/Thoughts/Feelings/Attitudes

Offender presents draftOffender presents draft

Thinking ReportThinking Report

SituationSituation

““An officer told me to pick up a piece An officer told me to pick up a piece of paper on the floor at chow. I got of paper on the floor at chow. I got angry and cursed at him. I got a DR angry and cursed at him. I got a DR for disrespect and disobeying a for disrespect and disobeying a direct order.”direct order.”

Thinking ReportThinking Report

ThinkingThinking ““Fuck you, you fucking want-to-be Fuck you, you fucking want-to-be

cop.cop. If you want it picked up bad If you want it picked up bad

enough, pick it up yourself.enough, pick it up yourself. I have a good mind to drive you I have a good mind to drive you

right where you stand.right where you stand. If you ask me instead of telling me If you ask me instead of telling me

then maybe I’d pick it up, asshole.”then maybe I’d pick it up, asshole.”

Thinking ReportThinking Report

FeelingsFeelings

Anger, victimized, singled outAnger, victimized, singled out

Attitudes/BeliefsAttitudes/Beliefs

Cops are assholes. I have a right Cops are assholes. I have a right to be respected.to be respected.

Additional ThoughtsAdditional Thoughts

1.1. ““You get off on telling people what You get off on telling people what to do.to do.

2.2. I’m sick of being insulted around I’m sick of being insulted around here.here.

3.3. All these cops are alike.All these cops are alike.

4.4. I can’t take any more of this shit.”I can’t take any more of this shit.”

Additional FeelingsAdditional Feelings

BelittledBelittled

DisrespectedDisrespected

Additional Attitudes & BeliefsAdditional Attitudes & Beliefs

““The only way to get respect is to let The only way to get respect is to let people know you’ll hurt them if they people know you’ll hurt them if they don’t. Without the ability to be don’t. Without the ability to be violent, no one will respect you. violent, no one will respect you. When someone orders e to do When someone orders e to do something, they are disrespecting something, they are disrespecting me.”me.”

How Thoughts Led to BehaviorHow Thoughts Led to Behavior

Clear TransitionClear Transition

““We have a pretty good picture of how We have a pretty good picture of how Marcus was thinking and feeling. Marcus was thinking and feeling. Now let’s do Step 2. Let’s look at Now let’s do Step 2. Let’s look at how these thoughts and feelings led how these thoughts and feelings led to the behavior.”to the behavior.”

Key Pieces Leading to RiskKey Pieces Leading to Risk

Which thoughts led to behavior?Which thoughts led to behavior?

Ask group.Ask group.

Ask offender if he agrees.Ask offender if he agrees.

Key PiecesKey Pieces

ThoughtsThoughts

1. “Fuck you, you fucking want-to-be 1. “Fuck you, you fucking want-to-be cop.cop.

2. You get off on telling people what to 2. You get off on telling people what to do.do.

3. I’m sick of being insulted around 3. I’m sick of being insulted around here.here.

4. I can’t take any more of this shit.”4. I can’t take any more of this shit.”

Key PiecesKey Pieces

FeelingsFeelings

Anger, belittled, disrespectedAnger, belittled, disrespected

Key PiecesKey Pieces

Attitudes & BeliefsAttitudes & Beliefs

““The only way to get respect is to let The only way to get respect is to let people know you’ll hurt them if they people know you’ll hurt them if they don’t. Without the ability to be don’t. Without the ability to be violent, no one will respect you. violent, no one will respect you. When someone orders me to do When someone orders me to do something, they are disrespecting something, they are disrespecting me.”me.”

Key PiecesKey Pieces

Trigger

1st Key Thought

Next Key Thought

Next Key Thought

Criminal Act

“Fuck you, you want-to-be cop.”

“You get off . . .”

Feeling disrespected

“I’m sick of being insulted . . .”

Feeling disrespected & angry

“I can’t take . . .”

“I cursed him.”

Steps of Thinking ReportSteps of Thinking Report

1 Identifies additional thoughts/feelings1 Identifies additional thoughts/feelings

2 How They led to troublesome behavior2 How They led to troublesome behavior

a) Identification of key “risk a) Identification of key “risk pieces”pieces”

b) Connection between risk b) Connection between risk pieces pieces

3) Replace old thinking with new thinking3) Replace old thinking with new thinking

What the process isWhat the process is

ReportingReporting

thoughts, feelings & attitudesthoughts, feelings & attitudes

What the Process Isn’tWhat the Process Isn’t

ExplainingExplaining

DescribingDescribing

JustifyingJustifying

Thoughts, feelings and attitudesThoughts, feelings and attitudes

Language:Language:What Not to SayWhat Not to Say

Don’t give them examplesDon’t give them examples Don’t interpretDon’t interpret Don’t tell then what you would have Don’t tell then what you would have

been thinking/feelingbeen thinking/feeling Don’t use your words instead of Don’t use your words instead of

theirstheirs

What to Ask Other Group What to Ask Other Group MembersMembers

Does this look like it was all the Does this look like it was all the thoughts and feelings?thoughts and feelings?

What could you ask to help him What could you ask to help him remember more?remember more?

Language:Language:How You Say It MattersHow You Say It Matters

Can you remember any more Can you remember any more thoughts . . thoughts . .

I’m not sure what you mean by . . . I’m not sure what you mean by . . . Can you explain it to me?Can you explain it to me?

What was the very first thought What was the very first thought (feeling) you had . . .(feeling) you had . . .

Did these thoughts go with particular Did these thoughts go with particular feelings? How do they fit together?feelings? How do they fit together?

Language:Language:How You Say It MattersHow You Say It Matters

Was there a feeling that went with Was there a feeling that went with this thought? (a thought with the this thought? (a thought with the feeling?)feeling?)

Was there a thought/feeling that fit Was there a thought/feeling that fit between the ones you’ve listedbetween the ones you’ve listed

Was there a kind of attitude behind Was there a kind of attitude behind these thoughts (feelings)?these thoughts (feelings)?

Do you have a general belief about Do you have a general belief about this kind of situation? What does it this kind of situation? What does it sound like?sound like?

Completion CriteriaCompletion Criteria

A completion of a set of specified A completion of a set of specified taskstasks

Achievement of “competency” in Achievement of “competency” in each step each step

Completion of a minimum time in Completion of a minimum time in treatmenttreatment

Personal Risk Management Personal Risk Management PlanPlan

Past acts of violence and crime, Past acts of violence and crime, circumstances, thoughts, feelings, attitudes, circumstances, thoughts, feelings, attitudes, beliefsbeliefs

Past relapse behaviorsPast relapse behaviors Description and examples of current, Description and examples of current,

everyday situations that trigger risk thinkingeveryday situations that trigger risk thinking Goals and plans for minimizing future risk of Goals and plans for minimizing future risk of

violence and crimeviolence and crime

Goals and PlansGoals and Plans

Specific plans for avoiding risk situationsSpecific plans for avoiding risk situations

Coping strategies when in risk situationsCoping strategies when in risk situations

Description and examples of new thinkingDescription and examples of new thinking

How new thinking will be used in risk How new thinking will be used in risk situations and every day situationssituations and every day situations

Elements of ProgramElements of Program

Check-InsCheck-Ins Thinking ReportsThinking Reports Individual Journal AssignmentsIndividual Journal Assignments Fearless Criminal InventoryFearless Criminal Inventory Personal Risk Management PlanPersonal Risk Management Plan

Staff TasksStaff Tasks

Prepare for each groupPrepare for each group Review each groupReview each group Document each groupDocument each group Conduct regular progress reviewsConduct regular progress reviews Focus intently on processFocus intently on process

Progress ReportsProgress Reports

2 to 3 months2 to 3 months Formal meetingFormal meeting Prepare Summary FormPrepare Summary Form Go over progress and deficitsGo over progress and deficits ½ hour +½ hour +

Treatment CompletionTreatment Completion

Complete tasksComplete tasks

Thinking reportsThinking reports

Cognitive check-insCognitive check-ins

Group presentationsGroup presentations

Journal assignmentsJournal assignments

Special tasksSpecial tasks

Length of ProgramLength of Program

6 to 22 months6 to 22 months

Stage IStage I 6 months credit6 months credit

4 subskills4 subskills

Risk Management PlanRisk Management Plan

State IIState II 12 months credit12 months credit

Apply skillsApply skills

Work Risk ManagementWork Risk Management

Impact of Cognitive Self-Change Impact of Cognitive Self-Change ProgramProgram

LengthLength New Accusations After New Accusations After YearsYears

Of TimeOf Time 11 22 33(Months)(Months)

7 +7 + 25%25% 42%42% 46%46%

1 – 61 – 6 49%49% 67%67% 80%80%00 49%49% 71%71% 77%77%

(Bush, 1995)(Bush, 1995)