A psychometric reevaluation of the TCU criminal thinking scales (CTS)

Does Criminal Thinking Predict Prison Misconduct? An Evaluation of TCU’s Criminal Thinking Scales

“…A confirmatory factor analysis found that the six subscales provided a good model fit. These findings have been replicated by more recent analyses (Sease et al, 2022;Taxman et al, 2011Taxman et al, ). knight et al (2006 also tested internal consistency reliability using Cronbach's (1951) coefficient alpha.…”

Criminal Thinking in a Sample of Men and Women Attending a Multi-Site Batterer Intervention Program

“…If replicated by other studies that use larger samples, these findings may become relevant from a practical standpoint for several reasons: First, differences in patterns of Power Orientation may suggest that specific components of curricula included in criminal justice programs could be diversified to accommodate gender-specific needs of clients (Hubbard & Matthews, 2008; Link & Oser, 2018). As Sease et al (2022) indicated, the criminal justice system needs to provide services that help reduce offenders’ risk of recidivism. As they stated, “[c]riminal thinking is a dynamic cognitive process malleable through an intervention that, if accurately measured, could serve as a crucial component of an individual’s treatment plan” (Sease et al, 2022, p. 145).…”

“…As Sease et al (2022) indicated, the criminal justice system needs to provide services that help reduce offenders’ risk of recidivism. As they stated, “[c]riminal thinking is a dynamic cognitive process malleable through an intervention that, if accurately measured, could serve as a crucial component of an individual’s treatment plan” (Sease et al, 2022, p. 145). Second, at the statistical level, studies that focus on gender differences in patterns of criminal cognitions must pay attention to gender differences in response patterns and interpretation of concepts represented in the instruments employed to provide accurate findings (Hubbard & Matthews, 2008; Jones et al, 2021; Vaske et al, 2016; Walters, 2014).…”

“…The dependent variable for the study is Criminal Thinking, measured through a modified version of the Texas Christian University Criminal Thinking Scale (TCU-CTS, Knight et al, 2006). The TCU-CTS is widely used to assess criminal thinking among correctional populations, and a recent study reaffirmed its good internal reliability as well as its validity using item response theory (Sease et al, 2022). The scale is comprised of 36 items that measure six aspects of the individual's attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors: Personal Irresponsibility, Criminal Rationalization, Cold Heartedness, Power Orientation, Justification, and Entitlement.…”