Gender differences in theory of mind, empathic understanding, and moral reasoning in an offending and a matched non-offending population
Journal article
Spenser, Karin, Bull, Ray, Betts, Lucy and Winder, Belinda 2021. Gender differences in theory of mind, empathic understanding, and moral reasoning in an offending and a matched non-offending population. International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology. https://doi.org/10.1177/0306624X211010287
| Authors | Spenser, Karin, Bull, Ray, Betts, Lucy and Winder, Belinda |
|---|---|
| Abstract | Previous research suggests that a lack of pro-social skills is characteristic of an offending personality. Two hundred male and female offenders and matched controls completed measures to assess: Theory of Mind, empathic understanding, and moral reasoning. Significant differences between the offenders and the control group, as well as between the male and female participants, were detected in theory of mind, empathic understanding and moral reasoning with offenders scoring lower than the control group, and with males scoring lower than females on most tests. The ability to assess Theory of Mind, empathic understanding, and moral reasoning, and subsequently to identify reduced ability, is not only useful for researchers but will also allow practitioners to tailor existing (or develop new) interventions specific to the needs of individuals. This could be particularly useful in terms of recidivism when applied to those involved in anti-social or offending behaviour. |
| Keywords | offenders; theory of mind; moral reasoning; empathy |
| Year | 2021 |
| Journal | International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology |
| Publisher | Sage |
| ISSN | 1552-6933 |
| Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.1177/0306624X211010287 |
| Web address (URL) | http://hdl.handle.net/10545/625710 |
| hdl:10545/625710 | |
| Publication dates | 15 Apr 2021 |
| Publication process dates | |
| Deposited | 15 Apr 2021, 13:21 |
| Accepted | 24 Jan 2021 |
| Contributors | University of Derby and Nottingham Trent University |
| File | File Access Level Open |
| File | File Access Level Open |
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