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Assessing the Implicit Beliefs of Sexual Offenders Using the IRAP: A first Study

Dawson, David L., Barnes-Holmes, Dermot, Gresswell, David M., Hart, Aidan J., Gore, Nick J. (2009) Assessing the Implicit Beliefs of Sexual Offenders Using the IRAP: A first Study. Sexual Abuse: A Journal of Research and Treatment, 21 (1). pp. 57-75. ISSN 1573-286X. (doi:10.1177/1079063208326928) (The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided) (KAR id:24352)

The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided.
Official URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1079063208326928

Abstract

Researchers have proposed that the cognitive distortions of sexual offenders are underpinned by a number of implicit cognitive processes termed implicit theories. Until recently, however, the implicit theory hypothesis has received little empirical support due to broader limitations with standard forensic assessment procedures. The current research aimed to determine whether a new assessment methodology, the Implicit Relational Assessment Procedure (IRAP), could provide further evidence for Ward and Keenan's (1999) children as sexual beings implicit theory. The results indicated that the IRAP was significantly more effective at identifying core implicit differences between sexual offenders against children and nonoffenders than a cognitive distortion questionnaire. Furthermore, although both groups demonstrated an overall response bias towards adults as sexual and children as nonsexual, this bias was significantly impaired in the sexual offender group. The findings are discussed in relation to previous implicit theory research and recommendations for the development of implicit methodologies are made.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1177/1079063208326928
Subjects: B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology
Divisions: Divisions > Division for the Study of Law, Society and Social Justice > School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research > Tizard
Depositing User: Nick Gore
Date Deposited: 29 Apr 2010 13:17 UTC
Last Modified: 16 Nov 2021 10:02 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/24352 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

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