Cognitive approach

Question 1

What does ‘cognition’ mean?

Answer 1

Mental processes

Question 2

What are the three main assumptions of the cognitive approach?

Answer 2

To understand behaviour we need to understand the internal processes of the mind.

1) Internal processes help us make sense of the world and operate effectively in it.
2) Use of the computer analogy
3) Use of schemas

Question 3

Name five internal processes.

Answer 3

LAMPPs
language,
attention,
memory,
perception,
problem-solving.

Question 4

Name two descriptions of mental processes going wrong

Answer 4

Abnormal thought processes include cognitive deficiencies and cognitive distortions. (Kendall, 1993)

Question 5

What is a cognitive deficiency?

Answer 5

When an individual does not plan or think ahead sufficiently, leading to negative behaviours. E.g., and individual may focus on and in appropriate solution, Such as failing to secure a grade and thereby giving up a potential path to university or a certain profession.

Question 6

What is a cognitive distortion?

Answer 6

The inaccurate processing of information, such that what we think about does not correspond to reality well.
E.g. perceiving oneself as overweight when one is really anorexic.

Question 7

Explain the computer analogy in the cognitive approach

Answer 7

Input, processing, storage, and retrieval.

We are taking information from our senses, we then process it to understand what it means, we then store it as memory, and retrieve it when we want to remember something.

Question 8

Explain the use of schema for the cognitive approach

Answer 8

A schema is a collection of ideas that we have regarding the world around us.

For instance we have a schema for keeping fit, eating healthily, revising, or socialising, etc.

Question 9

How can schema help us when learning something new?

Answer 9

Schema can help us by giving us a way of thinking about learning a new thing, but it can also get in the way if we try to make the new thing too much like the old action.

Learning to drive a car relative to learning to ride a bike has many similarities (Steering, breaking, highway code), While learning Russian compare to French may have very little overlap (grammatical structures, use of nouns adjectives et cetera, but requiring a new alphabet and phonic system).

Question 10

Name three strengths of the cognitive approach

Answer 10

Can be tested in labs.

Use of equipment to scan the brain to see how it works. It simplifies complex behaviour (reductionist, helping to focus on effective therapies..

Question 11

Name three weaknesses of the cognitive approach

Answer 11

Any study in the laboratory can lack ecological validity.

The use of scientific equipment to measure brain behaviour creates an assumption that all human behaviour is the result of information processing and not cultural or social factors.

Reductionism: social and emotional factors are ignored and how an individual processes information.

Question 12

What is the social exchange theory?

Answer 12

Thibaut and Kelley 1959:

The theory is that choices about relationships are essentially economic decisions, i.e., an exchange of resources and cost-benefit analysis as to whether a relationship is worth starting or continuing.

People also have beliefs about costs and benefits, which is known as the comparison level.
Some people have high expectations for a relationship and become dissatisfied if reality doesn’t live up to it - so may look for higher benefits elsewhere!
Someone with a low comparison may remain in an unsatisfactory relationship because of how they view the costs involved.
Issues to ‘weigh up’: money, health, sex, popularity, security, desire for children.

Question 13

Describe cognitive behavioural therapy.

Answer 13

Beck, 1976, argued that negative thought processes are the cause of dysfunctional behaviour and emotional distress.
Therapy therefore involves replacing negative and irrational thoughts with more rational ways of thinking.

Question 14

What are the three distinct phases that CBT practitioners follow?

Answer 14

1) Case conceptualisation, so the client understands the nature of CBT alongside initial goals and treatment plan e.g., using a Beck Depression Inventory questionnaire on how a client is feeling and how issues affect every day life.
2) Skills acquisition and application, helping the client work on intervention techniques and new skills, setting goals and targets and refining intervention techniques. Questioning of maladaptive thoughts by therapist. Homework on integrating new perspectives.
3) Ending and follow-up, final assessment of progress using self-report and questioning, discussing ending treatment and when this appropriate, possible top sessions..

Question 15

Name three specific techniques used in CBT

Answer 15

Questioning to challenge irrational thoughts.

Breathing and relaxation techniques to help calm tense muscles.

Guided imagery to help a client overcome specific fears, for instance imaging public speaking to build up an internal confidence..

Question 16

How effective is CBT

Answer 16

1) DeRubeis et al 2005
three groups of participants. Group one using CBT, group to using antidepressants, group 3 given a placebo.
43% of the CBT group had improved compared with only 25% of the placebo group, however those taking antidepressants 50% showed signs of improvement. But it is noted that drugs can be a short term fix As 50% of people using antidepressants will relapse within two years.
2) Blackburn and Moorhead 2000
Found CBT to be significantly superior to drug treatments for periods over a year.
3) Kupfer and Frank 2001
Most effective method was a combination of CBT and antidepressants.

Time commitment for clients may not be suitable for all, and the homework assignments maybe daunting for some especially those lacking motivation!

Question 17

Name some ethical considerations regarding CBT

Answer 17

Although CBT emphasises the equality between the client and the therapist, a lack of understanding of CBT does put the therapist in a more powerful position and potentially manipulative position..

Nonetheless, a teacher pupil relationship does have benefits, as somebody needs to guide the client through their issues! No leader - no guidance.

Question 18

Explain rational emotive behaviour therapy (REBT)

Answer 18

This approach is that people are not upset about events but by their beliefs or perception of the event.
If that perception can change then their behaviour can change correspondingly.

Question 19

What two words did Ellis, 1962, focus on as symptomatic of an irrational belief system?

Answer 19

Should & must

E.g., I should always be approved by everyone. I must always be good at everything. These are effectively cognitive distortions.

Question 20

What is the ABC (DE) model of rational emotive behaviour therapy

Answer 20

Activation : Being alone with computer

Beliefs : “There is so much exciting stuff to see there…I need to surf for hours!

Consequence: A strong sense of excitement and desire - short term thrill seeking

Dispute (between the parts of the self): Begin to consider that the “exciting stuff” is actually a poison to my brain and takes me away from doing other things. It has caused nothing but pain and harm in my life. It was designed to keep me hooked and coming back for more. If I walk away, I will feel free and I will be proud of myself. Success here leads to…

Effect: a systematic approach to changing a negative beliefs int positive ones, note change of energy, sense of positivity and vibrancy - reduced/elimination of addiction or negative reactions.

Question 21

What kind of regard should therapists give the clients in rational emotive behaviour therapy

Answer 21

Unconditional positive regard (UPR) - Whoever the client is, they must be accepted for who they are in a relationship of equality to enable the client to disclose personal information and expenses et cetera.

Question 22

Name three techniques used in rational emotive behaviour therapy

Answer 22

HHR

Humour - Ellis argues that humour is very good to enable clients to take a step back and have a laugh at themselves (this has to be done sensitively of course!)

Homework- typically this is reading self-help books, monitoring behaviour/reactions, through the diary, and practising new skills.

Role-playing: Allows the client to practice new skills in a safe environment, e.g. a job interview, being alone with the computer, public speaking.

Question 23

How effective is rational emotional behaviour therapy REBT?

Answer 23

1) David et all (2008) - 170 participants, using REBT, cognitive therapy, antidepressants over a 14 week period (20 therapy sessions lasting 50 mins; follow up sessions after 6 months).
After 14 weeks not much difference between the three therapies, but after six months there was strong evidence of higher relapse (failure) rates for those taking antidepressants.

BUT

2) Gonzalez 2004, meta-analysis of 19 studies of REBT. Focus was on young people and children, showing effective results, and even higher improvements when the techniques were delivered by teachers in schools rather than members of the health professions! It is also effective as group therapy as ppts can help each other in the ABCDE process.

Question 24

Name three ethical considerations regarding rational emotional behaviour therapy.

Answer 24

1) Use of empathy: therapists need to remain detached, as empathy may lead to negative thought patterns been continued by the client and therapist (In other words you can’t feel sorry for the client!)
2) Some clients may feel threatened by the active approach, especially if the rational beliefs are challenged to vigourously to early on, leaving the clients to with draw from therapy.
3) Again because it is one-to-one, the client may accept the therapist’s (subjective) view of the world as being what constitutes rational, Which puts the therapist in a position of authority/power.

Question 25

What can rational emotional behaviour therapy be used to treat?

Answer 25

Anxiety, panic attacks, depression, relationships, eating disorders, anger, OCD, phobias, stress, et cetera.