CBT Flashcards
Applying the assumption to therapy
Cognitive psychologists believe that irrational thoughts are the root cause of psychological disorders. If an individual thinks rationally about an event, then their behaviour is considered ‘normal.’ It is not the event that causes psychological harm, it is how an individual thinks about that event prior, this links to the internal mental processes assumption.
Therefore CBT aims to challenge an individuals irrational thought patterns. The therapist would help the client think rationally about their thoughts. For example, asking the client to provide evidence for an irrational thought. This links to the compute analogy, and how we process information and how it can be changed.
CBT will equip the individuals with skills and techniques on how to challenge these irrational thoughts. Once this is done the individual will replace abnormal behaviours with normal ones.
What is the cognitive element of CBT
CBT works to combat both the cognitive and behavioural aspects of the clients behaviour.
For the cognitive element, the key aspect is to replace faulty thought patterns, this is often done through cognitive restructuring. For example if a client says they think no one likes them at work, the therapist would challenge this. They may ask them to provide evidence for that. Might it be one isolated incident that may be causing the client to think in this irrational way. This is an example of overgeneralisation, the client may have taken one incident and overgeneralised it to other areas of their life.
What is the behavioural element of CBT
For the Behavioural element, a therapist will engage the client in role play or set homework (reality testing). This allows the client to put into practice they have have discussed in the cognitive section
Aaron Beck suggested that CBT could be used to break the negative cognitive triad that depressed individuals have. The negative triad is cycle which involves and individual of having negative views of themselves, the world around them and the future. CBT claims to break this cycle of negativity.
Example of CBT components (Dysfunctional thought diary)
Dysfunctional thought diary: This takes form of a clients homework. A client will record negative thoughts and the events that preceded them negative thoughts. The client will the rate their belief in these thoughts, this takes form of a percentage. A rational thought is then written next to this, and finally, the client rates their belief again. This helps rationalise a clients thoughts.
Example of CBT components (Cognitive restructuring
The therapist challenging the clients irrational thoughts an beliefs. The goal is to replace the irrational thoughts with rational ones.
Effectiveness of CBT: Jarrett et al
Jarrett et al compared the effectiveness of CBT with antidepressants (specifically Phenelzine) in 108 patients with severe depression. Ppts were randomly assigned to either the CBT group, the antidepressant group or the placebo group. The study lasted 10 weeks and found that CBT was as effective as the antidepressants and more effective than a placebo.
Effectiveness: Kuyken & Tsivrikos
Kuyken and Tsivrikos found that competence of the therapist performing CBT as a direct influence on with the therapy outcomes. 69 depressed clients were treated by 1 of the 18 therapists. Competence was measured for each and those with higher competence achieve greater outcomes for their clients.
Ethical issue: Patient blame
Patient blame can lead to harm. Cognitive psychologist suggests that psychological disorders come from faulty thinking patterns rather than an event that has caused this. This suggests that the client is to blame and their faulty thinking is contributing to their psychological disorder.
Ethical issue: Sadder but wiser
The sadder but wiser effect suggests that individuals with depression may be sadder but are wiser, meaning they are more accurate when predicting outcomes. It could be said that non depressed people live their life though rose tinted glasses. Should CBT be used to change thought patterns that may actually be accurate?
