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Class 2: Cognitive and Developmental
Models of PDs, Criminality, and Aggression
Cognitive Models
Keulen de Vos – Schema modes in the criminal and violent behaviour of
forensic Cluster B PD patients: A retrospective and prospective study.
A clear understanding of an offender’s criminal behaviour is a
prerequisite for determining suitable treatment. In the literature,
several specific frameworks or therapeutic approaches that aim to explicate
criminal behaviour can be distinguished (e.g., cognitive analytic therapy,
offence paralleling behaviour paradigm), but Schema Therapy (ST) is
becoming an increasingly popular paradigm.
According to forensic ST’s theoretical framework, criminal and
violent behaviour can be explained by an unfolding sequence of
schema modes, or moment-to-moment states that represent
emotions, cognitions, and behaviour.
Current Study: In this study, we examine the validity of this theory and
the relationship between schema modes, psychopathy, and institutional
violence.
Methods: Schema modes were assessed retrospectively from descriptions
of patients’ crimes in a sample of 95 hospitalized cluster B personality
disordered offenders. Psychopathy was rated with the Psychopathy
Checklist-Revised and institutional transgressions were coded from daily
hospital reports.
Results: Our findings show that criminal behaviour is often preceded
by schema modes that refer to feelings of vulnerability and
abandonment, loneliness, and states of intoxication. Criminal
behaviour itself is characterized by schema modes that refer to
states of impulsivity, anger, and the use of overcompensatory
strategies involving threats, intimidation, and aggression. Schema
modes involving bullying and manipulation were positively correlated with
the interpersonal facet of psychopathy; the vulnerable child mode was
negatively correlated with the affective facet of psychopathy. The schema
modes in this study moderately predicted later institutional transgressions.
Conclusions. Our findings suggest that the schema mode concept is of
explanatory value in understanding criminal and violent behaviour.
Class 2: Cognitive and Developmental
Models of PDs, Criminality, and Aggression
Cognitive Models
Keulen de Vos – Schema modes in the criminal and violent behaviour of
forensic Cluster B PD patients: A retrospective and prospective study.
A clear understanding of an offender’s criminal behaviour is a
prerequisite for determining suitable treatment. In the literature,
several specific frameworks or therapeutic approaches that aim to explicate
criminal behaviour can be distinguished (e.g., cognitive analytic therapy,
offence paralleling behaviour paradigm), but Schema Therapy (ST) is
becoming an increasingly popular paradigm.
According to forensic ST’s theoretical framework, criminal and
violent behaviour can be explained by an unfolding sequence of
schema modes, or moment-to-moment states that represent
emotions, cognitions, and behaviour.
Current Study: In this study, we examine the validity of this theory and
the relationship between schema modes, psychopathy, and institutional
violence.
Methods: Schema modes were assessed retrospectively from descriptions
of patients’ crimes in a sample of 95 hospitalized cluster B personality
disordered offenders. Psychopathy was rated with the Psychopathy
Checklist-Revised and institutional transgressions were coded from daily
hospital reports.
Results: Our findings show that criminal behaviour is often preceded
by schema modes that refer to feelings of vulnerability and
abandonment, loneliness, and states of intoxication. Criminal
behaviour itself is characterized by schema modes that refer to
states of impulsivity, anger, and the use of overcompensatory
strategies involving threats, intimidation, and aggression. Schema
modes involving bullying and manipulation were positively correlated with
the interpersonal facet of psychopathy; the vulnerable child mode was
negatively correlated with the affective facet of psychopathy. The schema
modes in this study moderately predicted later institutional transgressions.
Conclusions. Our findings suggest that the schema mode concept is of
explanatory value in understanding criminal and violent behaviour.
