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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