Issue 4
Vol. 42
2000

Eclectic conceptions of dangerousness: Content and condition analysis of social perception and cognition in the forensic field
U. Kobbé

The contribution explores expert's social judgements concerning the relevance of symptomatic qualities and behavior of mentally disturbed delinquents for future delinquency. The results of regression analysis of individual and team judgements indicates little differentiated, partly unspecific cognition patterns. Dangerousness is closely associated with the severity of mental illness. The social cognitions are neither characterised by subjective-individual theories nor by specific social representations. The social perception an judgement of dangerousness seems rather to be determined by the general Apriori of collective risk defence, which can be interpreted as expression of common social values.

Key words: dangerousness, social perception, social cognition, social values, social representations

Psychologische Beiträge, Volume 42, 4/2000

Dr. Ulrich Kobbé
Universität GH Essen
Fachbereich 2
D-45117  Essen