The cognitive behavioural tradition

Why did the US begin looking for alternatives to incarceration in 2005?

High prison construction costs and high imprisonment rates in the 90s became too expensive; the goal was to find interventions that lowered recidivism rates.

Why was Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) chosen as an evidence-based intervention?

It was heavily researched and showed potential to reduce recidivism, particularly for individuals who had committed violent offences.

What is the core focus of CBT regarding an individual's behaviour?

It works to identify and challenge harmful beliefs and automatic thoughts that negatively impact how a person responds to situations.

Who is Aaron Beck and what was his primary focus?

Associated with cognitive therapy in the 70s, he focused on individuals with depression who struggled with "automatic negative thoughts". He also developed the Beck Depression Inventory.

What is Albert Ellis’s contribution to the cognitive tradition?

He developed Rational Emotive Behavioural Therapy (REBT) in the 1950s.

Explain the components of Ellis’s ABC Model.

A (Activating Event): An unexpected challenge or event.

• B (Beliefs): Immediate thoughts that occur following the event.

• C (Consequences): The emotional or behavioural outcome driven by those beliefs.

What is the specific "formula" for the ABC model?

A+B=C. Crucially, A does not directly equal C; the belief (B) is what determines the consequence.

In the "parolee on a busy street" example, what is the "Activating Event"?

Someone bumps into the individual roughly and tells them to "watch where you're going".

What are the potential "Consequences" for a parolee who acts on the belief that they "must teach them a lesson"?

Physical arousal (sweating, increased heart rate), assault, being sent back to prison, losing trust of family/friends, and losing employment or freedom.

How does CBT suggest a healthier outcome in the parolee scenario?

By stopping and challenging the thought (e.g., "It's not worth losing my freedom"), the individual can change their belief and walk away instead of reacting violently.

What are the main strengths of using CBT in a correctional context?

Low cost and small budget requirement.

• Accessibility: No formal degree is required to facilitate it; it is easy to learn.

• Effectiveness: Evidence shows it reduces recidivism (e.g., R&R program participants had an 18% rate vs. 70% for non-participants).

What is a major weakness of the CBT lens in criminology?

It assumes the problem lies within the individual's "troubled" thought patterns, which ignores crimes committed for survival or due to poverty.

What are "Scaling" tools used for in this tradition?

Using a scale of 0-10 to provide an indicator of an individual's progress or lack thereof.