The Development of Discernment

Abstract

The implicit aetiology of youth crime underpinning the Crime and Disorder Act (1998) is derived from ‘developmental’ theories of criminality, while most of the pre-emptive, preventive and punitive measures available under the Act involve interventions aimed at getting young offenders to ‘think straight’. In this chapter we shall interrogate the ideas associated with the concept of ‘delinquent development’ and their fit with the cognitive-behavioural interventions they inform. These ideas are important because, together with fast-tracking and restorative justice, they will determine whether the youth justice provisions of the Crime and Disorder Act (1998) achieve their primary goal: the reduction or eradication of crime among adjudicated young offenders.

They may have poor levels of ability in relation to solving problems within relationships, through being unable to predict the consequences of their behaviour. Egocentricity is common, according to Ross, and is manifested in a lack of sensitivity to the thoughts and feelings of other people. Value systems may be very limited, often to a concept of ‘if it’s good for me it must be good’. Finally, offenders might have trouble with critical reasoning, being irrational and illogical, they are easily influenced by others.

(Gardiner & Nesbitt 1996)

The only advice I can offer, should you wake up vertiginously in a strange flat, with a thoroughly installed hangover, without any clothing, without any recollection of how you got there, with the police sledgehammering down the door to the accompaniment of excited dogs, while you are surrounded by bales of lavishly-produced magazines featuring children in adult acts, the only advice I can offer is try to be good humoured and polite.

(The Thought Gang, Tibor Fischer, 1994)