Cognitive Distortions and the Sex Offender
Posted by Joe Doherty on Sun, Jan 23, 2011 @ 02:26 PM
Even though you may not know what a cognitive distortion is, chances are that you use them. Also referred to as "thinking errors," cognitive distortions are used by everyone, although for some reason sex offenders appear to rely on them more.
Perhaps an example will help. A person studies to take an exam that they believe will help them advance in their job. After hours and hours of study the big day arrives. They take the exam and.....flunk it! Thoughts such as "I'm a failure," "I'll never amount to anything," cross their mind. The result, they get discouraged. (They could have said to themselves "At least I now know the areas I'm weak in," "Next time I take the test I'll be able to manage my anxiety better.")
Cognitive distortions that sex offenders rely on are maybe a little more pronounced. A grandfather who abused his 5 year old grandaughter says "She sat on my lap so I knew she wanted me to fondle her." Or the pedophile says "They were asleep when I fondled them so it's no big deal."
Most exhibitionists I've interviewed over the years rely on the distorted thought they they will expose themselves to an adult female, and she will be so aroused she'll immediately want to have sex with him! It sounds crazy to you, I'm sure, but not to them!
So, part of the treatment of a sex offender is to discover what his "thinking errors" were and to correct them.
It is not an easy job......
Your comments, as always, are welcome.