Abstract

Criminogenic cognition refers to specific cognitive, emotional, and attitudinal patterns that facilitate illegal and antisocial behavior by narrowing the gap between moral standards and actual unlawful actions, thereby blunting feelings of guilt or responsibility. Recognized as a critical dynamic risk factor influencing offenders’ recidivism, criminogenic cognition has drawn significant attention internationally. However, assessment tools for this construct remain scarce in South Korea. To address this gap, the present study adapted and validated the Criminogenic Cognitions Scale (CCS), originally developed in the United States, for use in Korean correctional settings. In Study 1, data were collected from male inmates (N = 495) at three correctional facilities, and an exploratory factor analysis was conducted. The results revealed 16 items encompassing five factors: Failure to Accept Responsibility, Notions of Entitlement, Negative Attitudes towards Authority, Short-Term Orientation, and Insensitivity to Impact of Crime. In Study 2, data were obtained from male inmates (N = 364) at five different correctional facilities, and a confirmatory factor analysis was performed to verify the structural validity of the 16 items and five sub-factors. The model fit indices met the generally recommended criteria, confirming the stability of the proposed structure. Additionally, total and subscale scores of criminogenic cognition were positively correlated with aggression, the Dark Triad (Machiavellianism, psychopathy, narcissism), and materialism. Notably, Failure to Accept Responsibility factor showed the strongest correlation with legal and behavioral indicators such as the number of admissions to correctional institutions, prior convictions, disciplinary actions, and risk of reoffending, suggesting its potential significance as a key predictor of recidivism. Overall, this study provides foundational data for the assessment and management of dynamic risk factors among offenders in South Korean correctional contexts.