Non-sex offenders display distorted thinking and have empathy deficits too: A thematic analysis of cognitions and the application of empathy

Kate Walker; Sarah J Brown

doi:10.1080/13552600.2011.618276

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Non-sex offenders display distorted thinking and have empathy deficits too: A thematic analysis of cognitions and the application of empathy

Journal article

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Non-sex offenders display distorted thinking and have empathy deficits too: A thematic analysis of cognitions and the application of empathy

Kate Walker and Sarah J Brown

Journal of Sexual Aggression, Vol.19(1), pp.81-101

2013

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/13552600.2011.618276

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Abstract

cognitive dissonance

cognitive distortions

empathy

sexual offending

thematic analysis

It is generally assumed that empathy acts to disinhibit behaviour that could be perceived as detrimental to others, and as a result is a common feature of offender treatment programmes. The present research hypothesised that empathy in all populations is both a situational and a selective process that is ultimately governed by self-interest, and further, that it is the nature of the self-interest that distinguishes individuals rather than a general empathy deficit per se. Empathic processes were observed in a non-offending population in a personal situation normally regarded as evocative of empathy: infidelity. Thematic analysis of data from individuals who reported being faithful or unfaithful to their partners revealed five dominant themes: vulnerable predisposition, emotional motivators, rational emotive decision making, avoiding cognitive dissonance and lack of remorse. The themes all revealed how individuals employed cognitive strategies, which were managed by self-interest that functioned to create cognitive states devoid of empathy.

Details

Title: Non-sex offenders display distorted thinking and have empathy deficits too: A thematic analysis of cognitions and the application of empathy
Authors: Kate Walker (Author) - Coventry University, United Kingdom
Sarah J Brown (Author) - Coventry University, United Kingdom
Publication details: Journal of Sexual Aggression, Vol.19(1), pp.81-101
Publisher: Routledge
Date published: 2013
DOI: 10.1080/13552600.2011.618276
ISSN: 1355-2600
Organisation Unit: University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; Sexual Violence Research and Prevention Unit; School of Law and Criminology - Legacy
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99451104102621
Output Type: Journal article

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