Texas Forensic Mental Health Conference Presenter: Dr. Salter Presentation: Cognitive Self Change #5

1. Violent CognitionsViolent Cognitions

2. Interpretive TheoryInterpretive Theory
N = 55 incarcerated offendersN = 55 incarcerated offenders
5 institutions in 2 states5 institutions in 2 states
(Athens, 1997)(Athens, 1997)

3. Pathways to Violence:Pathways to Violence:
Interpretive TheoryInterpretive Theory
 Physical DefensePhysical Defense
 FrustrativeFrustrative
 MaleficMalefic
 Frustrative/MaleficFrustrative/Malefic
(Athens, 1997)(Athens, 1997)

4. DefenseDefense
 Victim is going to attack himVictim is going to attack him
 Victim is attacking himVictim is attacking him

5. ““He just kept looking. Then I startedHe just kept looking. Then I started
thinking he was out to do somethingthinking he was out to do something
to me. He pulled out a knife andto me. He pulled out a knife and
made for me, and I shot him once inmade for me, and I shot him once in
the arm. He kept on coming, so Ithe 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)

6. 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 wantsVictim has some intention he wants
to resistto resist
E.g., calling policeE.g., calling police

7. ““My friend and I were punching theMy friend and I were punching the
safe when a real young cop came insafe when a real young cop came in
with his gun drawn and said, ‘You’rewith 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 isThe first thing I thought was, ‘Here is
ten years and I don’t want to do anyten years and I don’t want to do any
more fucking time.’”more fucking time.’”
(Athens, 1997, p. 38)(Athens, 1997, p. 38)

8. ““I plain and simple needed to getI plain and simple needed to get
some good, hot, kinky sex butsome good, hot, kinky sex but
resented having to rely on theresented having to rely on the
generosity of women to hit on theirgenerosity of women to hit on their
pussies. . . My days of begging . . .pussies. . . My days of begging . . .
Were over.”Were over.”
(Athens, 1997, p. 10)(Athens, 1997, p. 10)

9. FrustrativeFrustrative
““The way she moved made my rocksThe way she moved made my rocks
shake. I had to have her. So Ishake. I had to have her. So I
pretended to look for my dog. . . Shepretended 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 IShe goes, yea like get lost. Now I
don’t give a fuck, you know. I reachdon’t give a fuck, you know. I reach
for her neck. Fuck you, I goes andfor 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)

10. ““A young woman came in with a bad cut onA young woman came in with a bad cut on
her arm. . . From the way she talked andher arm. . . From the way she talked and
acted, I got the impression she madeacted, I got the impression she made
men come after her. She was conceitedmen come after her. She was conceited
and all wrapped up in herself. . . I triedand all wrapped up in herself. . . I tried
to get something going but her nose wasto 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)

11. MaleficMalefic
 Victim belittling himVictim belittling him
 Victim evil or maliciousVictim evil or malicious

12. MaleficMalefic
““We came to an intersection andWe came to an intersection and
slowed down when this big blackslowed down when this big black
dude in a Thunderbird coming thedude in a Thunderbird coming the
other way cut us off in theother 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 grinThen 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)

13. MaleficMalefic
““That dirty jive n___ flipping me offThat dirty jive n___ flipping me off
and grinning – now he thinks he’sand grinning – now he thinks he’s
one bad n____.”one bad n____.”
(Athens, 1997, p. 39)(Athens, 1997, p. 39)

14. Dynamics of CrimeDynamics of Crime
 Fixed Line of IntentionFixed Line of Intention
 Restraining JudgmentRestraining Judgment
Can’t winCan’t win
Victim acquiescesVictim acquiesces
Deference to 3Deference to 3rdrd
partyparty
Fears relationship lossFears relationship loss
Fear getting caughtFear getting caught
 Overriding JudgmentOverriding Judgment

15. “’“’You, no-good tramp, dirty whore, youYou, no-good tramp, dirty whore, you
better tell me where in the hell you havebetter tell me where in the hell you have
been.’ She said, “You are acting likebeen.’ She said, “You are acting like
nothing but a bum. I’m not going to tellnothing but a bum. I’m not going to tell
you anything. I thought to myself, ‘I’myou anything. I thought to myself, ‘I’m
going to beat the damn truth out of thatgoing to beat the damn truth out of that
no-good, rotten bitch.’ . . But then Ino-good, rotten bitch.’ . . But then I
thought that if I went that far, she mightthought 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

16. Creation of ViolenceCreation of Violence
 Violent SubjugationViolent Subjugation
 Personal HorrificationPersonal Horrification
 Violent CoachingViolent Coaching

17. Criminogenic NeedsCriminogenic Needs
CriminogenicCriminogenic NonNon
CriminogenicCriminogenic
Antisocial AttitudesAntisocial Attitudes Self-EsteemSelf-Esteem
Antisocial FriendsAntisocial Friends AnxietyAnxiety
Substance AbuseSubstance Abuse DepressionDepression
ImpulsivityImpulsivity

18. Targeting Criminogenic NeedsTargeting Criminogenic Needs
-0.05
0
0.05
0.1
0.15
0.2
0.25
0.3
0.35
Targets 1 - 3
Noncriminogen
ic Needs
Targets 4 - 6
Criminogenic
Needs
Gendreau, French & Taylor, 2002

19. Self Esteem Vs. CriminogenicSelf Esteem Vs. Criminogenic
NeedsNeeds
-0.1
-0.05
0
0.05
0.1
0.15
0.2
0.25
0.3
0.35
0.4
Self Esteem
Criminogenic
Needs

20. Cognitive SkillsCognitive Skills
vsvs
Criminal ThinkingCriminal Thinking

21. Cognitive SkillsCognitive Skills
 Problem DefinitionProblem Definition
 Problem SolvingProblem Solving
 Perspective TakingPerspective Taking
 Stop and ThinkStop and Think
 Generating AlternativesGenerating Alternatives
 Testing SolutionsTesting Solutions

22. Cognitive Self-ChangeCognitive Self-Change
Jack BushJack Bush

23. Cognitive Self-ChangeCognitive Self-Change
 Thinking Controls BehaviorThinking Controls Behavior
 When Thinking Changes, BehaviorWhen Thinking Changes, Behavior
ChangesChanges

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

25. Each GroupEach Group
 Cognitive Check-InsCognitive Check-Ins
 Thinking ReportsThinking Reports

26. TimingTiming
 Check-InsCheck-Ins 3 to 5 minutes3 to 5 minutes
 Thinking ReportsThinking Reports 1 hour1 hour

27. 4 Steps in Cognitive Self4 Steps in Cognitive Self
ChangeChange
1.1. Report thoughts, feelings, attitudesReport thoughts, feelings, attitudes
and beliefs.and beliefs.
2.2. Recognize how they lead to hurtfulRecognize how they lead to hurtful
actions.actions.
3.3. Use new thoughts, attitudes andUse new thoughts, attitudes and
beliefs that lead away from trouble.beliefs that lead away from trouble.
4.4. PracticePractice

28. Cognitive Check InsCognitive Check Ins
1.1. Situation of inappropriate behaviorSituation of inappropriate behavior
or temptation of inappropriateor temptation of inappropriate
behaviorbehavior
2.2. Report thoughts, feelings, attitudesReport thoughts, feelings, attitudes
& beliefs& beliefs
3.3. How they put them at riskHow they put them at risk
4.4. Describe alternative thinking orDescribe alternative thinking or
could have usedcould have used

29. Cognitive Check InsCognitive Check Ins
 Offenders only do Steps 1 & 2 untilOffenders only do Steps 1 & 2 until
proficientproficient
 Only then add Step 3Only then add Step 3
 Offenders only do Steps 1, 2 and 3Offenders only do Steps 1, 2 and 3
until proficientuntil proficient
 Then add Step 4Then add Step 4

30. Thinking ReportThinking Report
Situation/Thoughts/Feelings/AttitudesSituation/Thoughts/Feelings/Attitudes
Offender presents draftOffender presents draft

31. Thinking ReportThinking Report
SituationSituation
““An officer told me to pick up a pieceAn officer told me to pick up a piece
of paper on the floor at chow. I gotof paper on the floor at chow. I got
angry and cursed at him. I got a DRangry and cursed at him. I got a DR
for disrespect and disobeying a directfor disrespect and disobeying a direct
order.”order.”

32. Thinking ReportThinking Report
ThinkingThinking
 ““Fuck you, you fucking want-to-beFuck you, you fucking want-to-be
cop.cop.
 If you want it picked up badIf you want it picked up bad
enough, pick it up yourself.enough, pick it up yourself.
 I have a good mind to drive youI have a good mind to drive you
right where you stand.right where you stand.
 If you ask me instead of telling meIf you ask me instead of telling me
then maybe I’d pick it up, asshole.”then maybe I’d pick it up, asshole.”

33. Thinking ReportThinking Report
 FeelingsFeelings
Anger, victimized, singled outAnger, victimized, singled out
 Attitudes/BeliefsAttitudes/Beliefs
Cops are assholes. I have a rightCops are assholes. I have a right
to be respected.to be respected.

34. Additional ThoughtsAdditional Thoughts
1.1. ““You get off on telling people whatYou get off on telling people what
to do.to do.
2.2. I’m sick of being insulted aroundI’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.”

35. Additional FeelingsAdditional Feelings
BelittledBelittled
DisrespectedDisrespected

36. Additional Attitudes & BeliefsAdditional Attitudes & Beliefs
““The only way to get respect is to letThe only way to get respect is to let
people know you’ll hurt them if theypeople know you’ll hurt them if they
don’t. Without the ability to bedon’t. Without the ability to be
violent, no one will respect you.violent, no one will respect you.
When someone orders e to doWhen someone orders e to do
something, they are disrespectingsomething, they are disrespecting
me.”me.”

37. How Thoughts Led to BehaviorHow Thoughts Led to Behavior
Clear TransitionClear Transition
““We have a pretty good picture of howWe 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 atNow let’s do Step 2. Let’s look at
how these thoughts and feelings ledhow these thoughts and feelings led
to the behavior.”to the behavior.”

38. 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.

39. Key PiecesKey Pieces
ThoughtsThoughts
1. “Fuck you, you fucking want-to-be1. “Fuck you, you fucking want-to-be
cop.cop.
2. You get off on telling people what to2. You get off on telling people what to
do.do.
3. I’m sick of being insulted around3. 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.”

40. Key PiecesKey Pieces
FeelingsFeelings
Anger, belittled, disrespectedAnger, belittled, disrespected

41. Key PiecesKey Pieces
Attitudes & BeliefsAttitudes & Beliefs
““The only way to get respect is to letThe only way to get respect is to let
people know you’ll hurt them if theypeople know you’ll hurt them if they
don’t. Without the ability to bedon’t. Without the ability to be
violent, no one will respect you.violent, no one will respect you.
When someone orders me to doWhen someone orders me to do
something, they are disrespectingsomething, they are disrespecting
me.”me.”

42. Key PiecesKey Pieces
Trigger
1st
Key Thought
Next Key Thought
Next Key Thought
Criminal Act

43. “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.”

44. 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 “riska) Identification of key “risk
pieces”pieces”
b) Connection between riskb) Connection between risk
piecespieces
3) Replace old thinking with new thinking3) Replace old thinking with new thinking

45. What the process isWhat the process is
ReportingReporting
thoughts, feelings & attitudesthoughts, feelings & attitudes

46. What the Process Isn’tWhat the Process Isn’t
ExplainingExplaining
DescribingDescribing
JustifyingJustifying
Thoughts, feelings and attitudesThoughts, feelings and attitudes

47. 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 haveDon’t tell then what you would have
been thinking/feelingbeen thinking/feeling
 Don’t use your words instead ofDon’t use your words instead of
theirstheirs

48. What to Ask Other GroupWhat to Ask Other Group
MembersMembers
 Does this look like it was all theDoes this look like it was all the
thoughts and feelings?thoughts and feelings?
 What could you ask to help himWhat could you ask to help him
remember more?remember more?

49. Language:Language:
How You Say It MattersHow You Say It Matters
 Can you remember any moreCan 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 thoughtWhat was the very first thought
(feeling) you had . . .(feeling) you had . . .
 Did these thoughts go with particularDid these thoughts go with particular
feelings? How do they fit together?feelings? How do they fit together?

50. Language:Language:
How You Say It MattersHow You Say It Matters
 Was there a feeling that went withWas there a feeling that went with
this thought? (a thought with thethis thought? (a thought with the
feeling?)feeling?)
 Was there a thought/feeling that fitWas there a thought/feeling that fit
between the ones you’ve listedbetween the ones you’ve listed
 Was there a kind of attitude behindWas there a kind of attitude behind
these thoughts (feelings)?these thoughts (feelings)?
 Do you have a general belief aboutDo you have a general belief about
this kind of situation? What does itthis kind of situation? What does it
sound like?sound like?

51. Completion CriteriaCompletion Criteria
 A completion of a set of specifiedA completion of a set of specified
taskstasks
 Achievement of “competency” inAchievement of “competency” in
each stepeach step
 Completion of a minimum time inCompletion of a minimum time in
treatmenttreatment

52. Personal Risk ManagementPersonal Risk Management
PlanPlan
 Past acts of violence and crime,Past acts of violence and crime,
circumstances, thoughts, feelings,circumstances, thoughts, feelings,
attitudes, beliefsattitudes, beliefs
 Past relapse behaviorsPast relapse behaviors
 Description and examples of current,Description and examples of current,
everyday situations that trigger riskeveryday situations that trigger risk
thinkingthinking
 Goals and plans for minimizing futureGoals and plans for minimizing future
risk of violence and crimerisk of violence and crime

53. 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 riskHow new thinking will be used in risk
situations and every day situationssituations and every day situations

54. 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

55. 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

56. 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 +

57. Treatment CompletionTreatment Completion
 Complete tasksComplete tasks
Thinking reportsThinking reports
Cognitive check-insCognitive check-ins
Group presentationsGroup presentations
Journal assignmentsJournal assignments
Special tasksSpecial tasks

58. Length of ProgramLength of Program
6 to 22 months6 to 22 months

59.  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 RiskWork Risk
ManagementManagement

60. Impact of Cognitive Self-ChangeImpact of Cognitive Self-Change
ProgramProgram
 LengthLength New Accusations After YearsNew Accusations After Years
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)