Assessment for Criminal Thinking

• NCJ Number: 232303
• Journal: Crime & Delinquency Volume: 52 Issue: 1 Dated: January 2006 Pages: 159-177
• Author(s): Kevin Knight; Bryan R. Garner; D. Dwayne Simpson; Janis T. Morey; Patrick M. Flynn
• Date Published: January 2006
• Length: 19 pages
• Contract Number(s): U01 DA 16190
• Sponsoring Agency: National Institutes of Health
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study investigated the basic psychometric properties of the Texas Christian University (TCU) Criminal Thinking Scales (CTS) when employed across various correctional treatment settings.

Abstract

Risk assessments generally rely on actuarial measures of criminal history. However, these static measures do not address changes in risk as a result of intervention. To this end, this study examines the basic psychometric properties of the TCU Criminal Thinking Scales (TCU CTS), a brief (self-rating) instrument developed to assess cognitive functioning expected to be related to criminal conduct. Findings demonstrate that these scales have good psychometric properties and can serve as a short but reliable self-reported criminal thinking assessment. Their applications as part of an assessment system to determine offender progress and effectiveness are discussed. Tables, figure, and references (Published Abstract)