School of Psychology

Experience Excellence Studying People


Dr Caoilte Ó Ciardha

Research Associate in Forensic Psychology

Research interests

One aspect of my research focuses on cognitive aspects of offending behaviour. This includes the exploration of structures, processes and products relating to offence supportive cognition and also the development of indirect measures that attempt to tap into these constructs. This work to date has focused on the cognition of child molesters.

The latest project I'm involved with incorporates my existing interest in offence-related cognition but also looks at treatment development and evaluation in a population of firesetters.

Key publications

Gannon, T. A., Ó Ciardha, C., Doley, R., & Alleyne, E. (in press). The Multi-Trajectory Theory of Adult Firesetting (M-TTAF). Aggression and Violent Behavior.

Ó Ciardha, C. (in press). A theoretical framework for understanding deviant sexual interest and cognitive distortions as overlapping constructs contributing to sexual offending against children. Aggression and Violent Behavior. doi:10.1016/j.avb.2011.05.001

Ó Ciardha, C., & Gormley, M. (in press). Using a pictorial modified Stroop task to explore the sexual interests of sexual offenders against children. Sexual Abuse: A Journal of Research and Treatment.

Ó Ciardha, C., & Gannon, T. A. (2011). The cognitive distortions of child molesters are in need of treatment. Journal of Sexual Aggression, 17(2), 130-141. doi:10.1080/13552600.2011.580573

Selected publications

Also view these in the Kent Academic Repository
Articles

    Ó Ciardha, Caoilte and Gormley, Michael (2012) Using a pictorial modified Stroop task to explore the sexual interests of sexual offenders against children. Sexual Abuse: A Journal of Research and Treatment. ISSN 1573-286X. (in press)

    Abstract

    The results of two studies are reported examining the utility of a pictorial-modified Stroop task (P-MST) in the assessment of sexual interest in a sample of nonoffending participants and of sexual offenders against children. A mixed factorial design was adopted for both. Nine gay and 12 straight participants took part in the first study which found that participants typically had attentional bias on the P-MST that was in line with their stated sexual interests. Twenty four sexual offenders against children and 24 control participants took part in the second study. Again results indicated that the task was tapping into the participants’ stated sexual interests. Furthermore, extrafamilial offenders and offenders with an admitted sexual interest in children demonstrated the greatest mean bias for child stimuli relative to adult stimuli. A cautious interpretation of the results was recommended, given the sample size in the study, the heterogeneity of the sample, differences in cognitive speed among offenders and controls and other methodological caveats.

    pdf
    Ó Ciardha, Caoilte and Gannon, T.A. (2012) The Implicit Theories of Firesetters: A Preliminary Conceptualization. Aggression and Violent Behavior: A Review Journal, 17 (2). pp. 122-128. ISSN 1359-1789.

    Abstract

    The importance of cognition in the facilitation and reinforcement of criminal behavior has been highlighted and recognized in numerous offender populations. In particular, professionals have theorized that various offender populations hold offense-supportive schemas or implicit theories that require treatment in therapy. However, the role of cognition in deliberate firesetting has received no focused conceptual or theoretical attention. Using current research evidence and theory relating to general cognition and the characteristics of firesetters, this paper outlines a preliminary conceptual framework of the potential cognitions (in the form of implicit theories) that are likely to characterize firesetters. Five implicit theories are proposed that may be associated with firesetting behavior. The content, structure, and etiological functions of these implicit theories are described as well as the cognitive similarities between firesetters and other offender types. Future research implications and practical implications of the proposed implicit theories are also discussed.

    Ó Ciardha, Caoilte and Gormley, Michael (2012) Measuring sexual interest using a pictorial modified Stroop task, a pictorial Implicit Association Test, and a Choice Reaction Time task. Journal of Sexual Aggression. ISSN 1355-2600. (in press)

    Abstract

    Tasks that can successfully measure sexual interest have utility in forensic settings. Prior to use with problematic sexual interest however, work is needed in validating such tasks. This study focused on the measurement of non-deviant sexual interest. Eleven gay and fourteen straight participants each completed a pictorial Implicit Association Test (IAT), a pictorial modified Stroop task (P-MST) and a Choice Reaction Time (CRT) task. Each task was designed to tap into the sexual interest of participants. Stimuli were of males and females in bathing suits along with control images and sexual and non-sexual words. The IAT was most successful in differentiating between gay and straight participants. The P-MST also performed well, though the task’s position in the battery of tasks seemed to affect the results. The CRT tasks did not successfully show group differences. Theoretical and methodological implications of the effectiveness of the three tasks in tapping into sexual interest are discussed.

    Ó Ciardha, Caoilte (2011) A theoretical framework for understanding deviant sexual interest and cognitive distortions as overlapping constructs contributing to sexual offending against children. Aggression and Violent Behavior, 16 (6). pp. 493-502. ISSN 1359-1789.

    Abstract

    Most current research and theory accepts implicitly or explicitly that there is a relationship between deviant sexual interest and cognitive distortions surrounding sexual contact with children. However the current literature is lacking a framework by which deviant interest and offense supportive or facilitative cognitive structures or processes may interact. Recent advances in the application of indirect measures of cognitive distortions and sexual deviance have indicated a potential utility of such measures as alternatives or adjuncts to existing measures such as penile plethysmography, viewing time tasks and questionnaires. However, without a coherent theory of what these subtle tasks are measuring and how constructs such as offense-supportive schema and deviant sexual interest interact, it will be difficult to make sense of current findings and indeed to agree on best practice for the use of indirect measures in clinical assessment. This article discusses the cognitive structures and processes involved in both cognitive distortions and deviant sexual interest and explores how they might overlap and interact in facilitating and maintaining offending behavior.

    Gannon, T.A. and Ó Ciardha, Caoilte and Doley, Rebecca et al. (2011) The Multi-Trajectory Theory of Adult Firesetting (M-TTAF). Aggression and Violent Behavior: A Review Journal. ISSN 1359-1789.

    Abstract

    The assessment and treatment of adults who set fires deliberately are underdeveloped relative to other areas of forensic-clinical psychology. From a scientist–practitioner perspective, all clinical assessment and treatment should be guided by a theoretical and empirically based understanding of the presenting clinical phenomena. In this paper, we critically review current typologies, motives, and theories regarding the etiological features of deliberate adult firesetting. Then, using a theory knitting perspective, we synthesize the prime parts of this information into a comprehensive multifactorial framework of deliberate firesetting. The resulting Multi-Trajectory Theory of Adult Firesetting (M-TTAF) is an integration of current theory, typological, and research knowledge into a comprehensive etiological theory of firesetting along with its maintenance, and desistence. In addition to this overall theoretical framework, we summarize five associated prototypical firesetting trajectories (or patterns of characteristics leading to the firesetting behavior) that stem from our theoretical work. We examine this new theory according to key evaluative components associated with theory construction and conclude by highlighting the M-TTAF's potential application in future research and practice innovation with adult firesetters.

    Ó Ciardha, Caoilte and Gannon, T.A. (2011) The cognitive distortions of child molesters are in need of treatment. Journal of Sexual Aggression, 17 (2). pp. 130-141. ISSN 1355-2600.

    Abstract

    This paper forms the second part of a debate led by Marshall, Marshall, and Kingston (2011) regarding the need to address so-called cognitive distortions in sexual offender treatment. In their paper, Marshall et al. argue that so-called cognitive distortions may not necessarily require intense and focused attention or challenge throughout treatment. In evaluating Marshall et al.'s arguments, we highlight some inherent differences in how both Marshall et al. and ourselves choose to define the term "cognitive distortion". We surmise that these key definitional differences appear to account for many of the issues that we "debate". In particular, for example, Marshall et al. focus their arguments regarding cognitive distortions more explicitly upon excuses, denial and minimisations, whereas we choose to focus upon schemas and higher-order belief structures. Thus, we argue that the broadness and vagueness of the term "cognitive distortion" can lend itself to quite different interpretations and research foci. We offer some alternative views to Marshall et al.'s position and advocate the consideration of cognitions with an aetiological role in offending. We conclude with some suggestions for future research and treatment.

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Conference Items
Total publications in KAR: 14 [See all in KAR]
Information obtained from the Kent Academic Repository. The University of Kent official repository of academic activity.
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Contact

School of Psychology
Keynes College
University of Kent
Canterbury, Kent
CT2 7NP
United Kingdom

Tel. +44 (0)1227 823923
Fax. +44 (0)1227 827030
Email: C.C.OCiardha@kent.ac.uk

Office: Keynes E1.06

School of Psychology - Keynes College, University of Kent, Canterbury, Kent CT2 7NP

Tel: +44 (0)1227 824775; Fax: +44 (0)1227 827030 or Email the School

Last Updated: 29/02/2012