Sociomoral Reasoning and Criminal Sentiments in Australian Men and Women Violent Offenders and Non-Offenders

This study examined two risk recidivism risk factors (sociomoral development and criminal sentiments) in a sample of high-risk adult Australian offenders prior to intervention. Incarcerated men and women offenders (n = 99) convicted of serious violent index offences were compared with men and women university students (n = 101) on two empirical measures; the Sociomoral Reflection Measure-Short Form, and the Criminal Sentiments Scale. The results suggested that although the offenders’ mean reasoning was lower than non-offenders’, the offenders had a higher level of sociomoral development than previously assumed, primarily stage 3. Second, offenders’ endorsed higher criminal sentiments than non-offenders. Finally, a reciprocal relationship existed between the constructs, where a negative attitude towards the justice system related to a higher willingness to neutralise law violation and a higher identification with criminal others. These relationships were stronger for offenders. Applied implications of the findings with respect to intervention are considered.