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Cognitive TheoryCognitive Theory

TreatmentsTreatments

Cognitive TheoryCognitive Theory• Basic Philosophy • This model’s basic assumption is that a

person’s thoughts are responsible for their behaviour.

• The model deals with how information is processed in the brain and the impact of this on behaviour. The individual is an active processor of information.

• How a person, perceives, anticipates and evaluates events rather than the events themselves, which will have an impact on behaviour.

Cognitive TheoryCognitive TheoryThe basic assumptions are:• Maladaptive behaviour is cause by faulty

and irrational cognitions• It is the way you think about a problem,

rather than the problem itself that causes mental disorders

• Individuals can overcome mental disorders by learning to use more appropriate cognitions

• Aim to be positive and rational

Cognitive TheoryCognitive Theory• Beck and Ellis are the two

psychologists most often associated with this explanation who suggested that:-

• Irrational thinking (Ellis 1962) • The cognitive triad and errors in logic

(Beck 1967) create abnormal behaviour.

Cognitive TheoryCognitive Theory• Irrational thinking Ellis (1962)• Cognitions affect behaviour: Your

behaviour is primarily affected by your thoughts and cognitions. Healthy thoughts and cognitions lead to normal behaviour, whereas faulty thoughts and cognitions lead to abnormal behaviour. Beck (1969) called these irrational thoughts ‘cognitive errors’ or ‘faulty thinking’.

Cognitive TheoryCognitive Theory• As a rule we make sense of the world

around us using the cognitive process. This is generally believed to be an automatic process, in other words we do not really think about it. Any attributions we make also help in this process. – In people with psychological problems these

thought processes tend to be negative and the attributions made will be inaccurate:

• For example

Cognitive TheoryCognitive Theory– People may also have inaccurate expectations

which will make it more likely that they will happen…. Self-fulfilling prophecy…people with a psychological problem may lack confidence in their ability to achieve their goals and therefore their illogical thoughts do not reflect reality and these thought will affect their behaviour.

• Draw in your notes the example of this form of thinking from the Cardwell textbook Figure 7.3 p 235You have 5 minutes.

Cognitive TheoryCognitive TheoryEllis claims that people are inclined to

exaggerate or catastophize events:1. Cognitive processes can be faulty.

– Overgeneralisations: – Polarised thinking: – Magnification and minimization: – Tyranny of should, ought and must: – Catastrophizing:

2. A cognitive change can lead to a behavioural change. This is demonstrated in the therapies.

Cognitive TheoryCognitive Theory• The Cognitive Triad and errors in logic (Beck

1967)• Beck believed that negative thoughts underlie

mental disorders and he was particularly keen to find out why people suffered with depression. He identified two mechanisms that he thought were responsible for it.– Errors in Logic– Cognitive triad

• Draw in the cognitive triad Figure 7.4 p 235

• Activity: (Cardwell P234 The cognitive triad) • You have 15 minutes

Cognitive TheoryCognitive Theory• Evaluation of the cognitive model• Research support• Irrational thinking You have 5 minutes• Individual responsibility.

The model has been criticised because it seems to suggest that we should belief sufficient. Ellis has little sympathy for those who suffered with depression believing it to be an over indulgence of self defeating thoughts. Blame then is blame clearly at the feet of the individual rather than the social environment. Therefore attention but be withdrawn from the need to improve social conditions that have a positive impact on life.

Cognitive TheoryCognitive Theory• Cognitive therapies:• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy:• REBT (Ellis 1962)• Beck’s Cognitive therapy. (Beck et al

1985)• SIT: (Meichenbaum 9172)• CBT & treating Schizophrenia

Cognitive TheoryCognitive Theory• REBT: (Ellis 1962)• This is rational emotive behaviour therapy which

uses a three step process (ABC based on his idea on how psychological problems start. Ellis suggests that REBT helps people to ‘cure’ themselves because they become less disturbed and less anxious and this state can be maintained for long periods or even permanently. His aim is that eventually an individual will include REBT into their daily life style to overcome procrastination and stop self-defeating thoughts.

Cognitive TheoryCognitive Theory• Beck’s Cognitive therapy. (Beck et al 1985) Four basic assumptions underlie CBT• Patients respond on the basis of their

interpretation of themselves and the world around them rather than on the basis of what is actually happening.. Key to this first step is the idea of interpretation bias. (this being the tendency of the most stressed/ depressed person to interpret the situation in a negative /threatening was.

Cognitive TheoryCognitive Theory• Thoughts behaviours and feelings

are all inter-related and all influence each other. Therefore no single factor is more important than the other.

• In order for therapeutic intervention to succeed therapists must clarify and change how people think about themselves and the world around them. A major part in this involves reducing or eliminating their interpretive biases about themselves

Cognitive TheoryCognitive Theory• It is important to change both the

patient’s cognitive processes and his/her behaviour. The reason for this is that the benefits of therapy are likely to be greater than when only cognitive processes or behaviour change

• Using the scenario below describe how the thoughts emotions and behaviour described in it can be changed

Activity

It is you birthday sand you are given a surprise invitation to meet your friends at lunchtime to celebrate. You are disappointed to find your best friend does not join you and gives no reason or apology.

Thoughts

Emotions

Behaviour

Irrational/negative Rational/positive

He/she is annoyed with But won’t say why you

Maybe he/she was underPressure with work etc

Hurt and upset. Perhaps you aren’t friends after all

Disappointed, but sure you’llGet together soon to celebrate

Treat him/her with cool detachment next time youmeet

Ring him/her to arrange to meet

Cognitive TheoryCognitive Theory

• SIT: (Meichenbaum 9172)This is Meichenbaum’s stress inoculation therapy which was discussed in stress

• CBT & treating Schizophrenia

• You have 5 minutes to make notes on the latter (p245 in the textbook)

Cognitive TheoryCognitive TheoryEvaluation of CBT• Diverse application• Appeal of CBT• Use of CBT in treating depression

(Look at Fava et al’s work)• Ethics.

• You have 15 minutes to work on this (246 in the textbook) before we feedback to

class