Moralities and Offending
: A Comparison between Sexual and Non-Sexual Offenders and Public Perceptions of These Offender Groups

  • Rachael Thompson

Student thesis: Doctoral Thesis

Abstract

The relationship between moralities and crime is unresolved and complex. Some studies suggest those who engage in criminal behaviour are less morally mature and hold differing levels of moral disengagement and moral reasoning (Barbaranelli et al., 2017; Dodd et al., 1990; Gregg et al., 1994). Alternatively, others present findings that show no differences in morality between those who do and do not offend (Buttell, 2002; Mcloughlin, 2018; Thompson et al., 2021). Nonetheless, the general public maintains negative attitudes toward offenders and perceives them as immoral (Davis et al., 2012; Hayes & Carpenter, 2003; Melvin et al., 1985). This mixed-methods study examines the self-reported moralities of Non-Offenders (NO), Non-Sexual Offenders (NSO) and Sexual Offenders (SO) to provide insight into whether moralities influence an individual's criminal behaviour. Furthermore, public perceptions of NSO and SO are explored to allow novel insight into whether perceptions related to an offender’s moralities are justified. Using a sequential design, phase one surveys required participants (n= 287) to complete the Attitudes Toward Prisoners scale (Melvin et al., 1985), Attitudes Toward Sex Offenders scale (Hogue, 1993), the Moral Identity Questionnaire (Black & Reynolds, 2016) as well as self-report their demographic information and any previous criminal behaviours committed. Follow-up semi-structured interviews were conducted (n= 13) with participants identified as NO, NSO and or SO. Phase one surveys demonstrated that despite negative attitudes towards offenders, with SO being viewed most negatively, self-reported morality scores across offending groups were similar. Phase two interviews revealed that the overlap between illegal and immoral behaviour, as well as transferability of experience, as potential explanations for why offenders are viewed negatively and perceived as immoral. Additionally, the suggestion of sex being a taboo topic and the impact that sexual offences have on victims, were proposed reasons for why SO are viewed most negatively. However, participants emphasised the context and details of an offence as influential when judging an individual's offending. For example, the type and severity of the offence or victim-offender relationship. Subsequently, the phase one data was revisited. Complicated findings emerged with some significant differences between NSO and SO offence types, severities, and victim-offender categorisations. Thus, reinforcing the intricate relationship between moralities and crime, along with the need to explore this topic area further. This research highlights that to view those who engage in criminal behaviour as immoral, is oversimplistic and not an authentic reflection of the individual’s moral values.
Date of Award11 Jul 2024
Original languageEnglish
SupervisorCarla Reeves (Main Supervisor)

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