Cognitive distortions as social practices: An examination of cognitive distortions in sex offender treatment froma discursive psychology perpective

This article presents a critique of the concept of cognitive distortion as it has been developed within the domain of sex-offender treatment programme theory and practice. Drawing upon a discursive psychology perspective, it is argued that cognitive distortions should not be considered as mental entities but as social practices. This argument is illustrated by closely examining how offenders’ accounts of their offences during sex offender treatment sessions were organised. Recordings and transcriptions of treatment group sessions were analysed for the occurrence of regular patterns of talk and interaction. This analysis focused on how minimisation was achieved through well documented rhetorical and conversational devices (conversational repair, narrative contrast devices). An orientation to cognitive distortions as a resource was also illustrated through examining its use by group members to admonish a focus offender and through a narrative reflexivity device. These findings suggest that the notion of cognitive distortion and its role in treatment settings should be reconsidered. Furthermore, it is suggested that a discursive psychology perspective can also make a highly relevant contribution to the evaluation of treatment group processes and that further research is needed in order to examine in detail the way that treatment groups are socially organised

That's it we're having more insulation: Will householders change behaviours and attitudes after being shown an infrared image of their homes leaking heat?

This longitudinal study explored the impact of showing householders infrared images (of their homes leaking heat) on energy consumption and attitudes

Playing the 'Blame Game': Accounting and the construction of disruptive behaviour in family interviews

Systemic conceptualisations suggest that family processes which involve blaming and holding the child accountable for their behaviour play an important role in the maintenance of disruptive behaviour problems. Discourse analytic work in family therapy settings has shown that accountability for the family’s reported problems is a key concern for family members. This study used a conversation analytic (CA) approach to examine family members’ accounts of child disruptive behaviour. The two participating families were both engaged in family therapy for disruptive behaviour problems. Each family participated in a family interview which was recorded and transcribed according to CA principles. The analysis focused on the discursive organisation of accounts, as well as how these accounts were constructed to actively manage accountability during the interviews. Accounts were organised into a threepart structure consisting of a ‘statement of causality’, ‘warrant’ and ‘formulation’. Three strategies for managing accountability were identified: ‘objectifying’, ‘normalising’ and ‘systematic vagueness’. The analytic findings are discussed in terms of their relevance to systemic theory and practice

A preliminary investigation of the potential for thermographic images to influence householders' understanding of home energy consumption

This paper explores the potential connections between the thermographic (infrared) imaging of domestic properties and the impact (on energy conservation behaviours) of showing householders infrared images of their homes. Infrared (IR) images, or thermographic imaging, as it has become known has been applied to the investigation of heat losses and other building related phenomena such as moisture penetration of roofs and failures in damp-proofing systems for a number of years. Recently it has been used by a wide range of public and private bodies to demonstrate the heat of a home in a visible format. This suggests a connection between the householder viewing an IR image and engaging in energy conservation behaviour, such as installing insulation. It is hypothesised that information presented in a manner which attracts the attention of the intended audience, being vivid, specific and personal, is more likely to achieve behaviour change (Stern, 1992). In this paper the evidence of the thermal characteristic of the dwelling (as shown within the thermographic image) will be compared with the householder’s reasoning process as prompted by viewing the images. The possible increase in energy saving behaviours and changes in related attitudes leading from this intervention will be investigated. Questions concerning the links between the householder’s reactions to the images and the possibility that this may facilitate a reduction in energy consumption will be discussed

Discovering Mental Ill Health: 'Problem-Solving' in an English Magistrates' Court

People with problems of mental ill health are overrepresented in the criminal justice system. Community justice courts have established procedures for ‘problem-solving’ as a way of addressing these and other issues associated with pathways into crime. In this chapter Auburn et al examine problem-solving in one such court in England. The ways in which mental health issues are raised by members of the problem solving team and how signposting is implemented, is examined. Three main questioning forms are identified and the influence that these forms have on the meeting-talk trajectory is discussed. There was a continuum from eliciting ‘no problem’ responses to facilitating claims of mental ill health. Specific ‘diagnostic procedures’ are also identified as important precursors to advice delivery. The clinical relevance of these findings is considered

The impact of mass gatherings and holiday traveling on the course of an influenza pandemic: a computational model

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>During the 2009 H1N1 influenza pandemic, concerns arose about the potential negative effects of mass public gatherings and travel on the course of the pandemic. Better understanding the potential effects of temporal changes in social mixing patterns could help public officials determine if and when to cancel large public gatherings or enforce regional travel restrictions, advisories, or surveillance during an epidemic.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We develop a computer simulation model using detailed data from the state of Georgia to explore how various changes in social mixing and contact patterns, representing mass gatherings and holiday traveling, may affect the course of an influenza pandemic. Various scenarios with different combinations of the length of the mass gatherings or traveling period (range: 0.5 to 5 days), the proportion of the population attending the mass gathering events or on travel (range: 1% to 50%), and the initial reproduction numbers R₀(1.3, 1.5, 1.8) are explored.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Mass gatherings that occur within 10 days before the epidemic peak can result in as high as a 10% relative increase in the peak prevalence and the total attack rate, and may have even worse impacts on local communities and travelers' families. Holiday traveling can lead to a second epidemic peak under certain scenarios. Conversely, mass traveling or gatherings may have little effect when occurring much earlier or later than the epidemic peak, e.g., more than 40 days earlier or 20 days later than the peak when the initial R₀= 1.5.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Our results suggest that monitoring, postponing, or cancelling large public gatherings may be warranted close to the epidemic peak but not earlier or later during the epidemic. Influenza activity should also be closely monitored for a potential second peak if holiday traveling occurs when prevalence is high.</p