What is the primary goal of cognitive skills training?

The primary goal of cognitive skills training is to teach offenders how to modify their thinking patterns and control their behavior. This type of training focuses on helping individuals recognize their thoughts and the impact those thoughts have on their actions, thereby allowing them to make better decisions in the future. By engaging in cognitive skills training, offenders learn to identify patterns of thinking that may lead to criminal behavior and develop more effective problem-solving skills and behavioral strategies. This process is essential for rehabilitation, as it addresses the underlying cognitive processes that contribute to offending.

While improving physical health, enhancing academic performance, and encouraging community involvement are important aspects of personal development and can play roles in the rehabilitation process, they do not capture the core objective of cognitive skills training. This training is specifically geared toward altering cognitive distortions and improving self-regulation, which directly supports the reintegration of offenders into society by promoting responsible decision-making and reducing recidivism.