Abstract

This thesis explores some of the initial cognitive/affective factors potentially to be linked to burglary. The thesis has leant heavily upon research in other areas of forensic psychology, exploring the factors that have been found to be related to other offences (e.g. cognitive distortions, empathy, human needs). Over two studies, several factors were tested for their association to burglary. The first study highlights the associations between the proclivity to commit burglary, and burglary-related cognitive distortions, general criminal cognitive distortions, empathy (both cognitive and affective), and human needs. The study used a sample of non-offenders (N = 306). The findings suggest that burglary and general criminal cognitive distortions, as well as affective empathy, were associated with the proclivity to burgle. Furthermore, using regression analysis it was found that burglary cognitive distortions and general criminal cognitive distortions predicted burglary proclivity. The second study investigated into whether burglary proclivity, burglary cognitive distortions, burglary empathy, and emotional reactivity were associated with offence behaviours during a simulated virtual burglary. A sample of non-offenders simulated a first-time burglary offence (N = 51). The results have shown that burglary cognitive distortions, affective empathy, cognitive empathy, as well as confounding variables, related to Virtual Reality were associated with burglary behaviours. Additionally, the association between burglary typologies and burglary cognitions were tested and it was found that a subscale of burglary cognitive distortions was associated to an existing burglary typology. Overall both studies have begun to establish the association between burglary cognitions and the proclivity to commit burglary, as well as burglary offence behaviours. These initial factors can help establish a new theory regarding burglary, which in turn can aim to better work with burglars in a preventative, rehabilitative and assessment manner.