Lecture 4 - Theoretical Perspectives Part II

Question 1

from behavior to cognition: Albert Bandura

Answer 1

humans do not always require external reinforcement to alter our behavior patterns; we regulate behavior via internal symbolic processes-thoughts, “a capacity for self-direction”

• we visualize consequence/outcome to actions
• do not also require reinforcement or external influence
• later developed a theory of “Self-Efficacy” (individuals can achieve desired goals)
• Cognitive Behavioral Treatments work by improving self-efficacy

Question 3

perspectives of other Cognitive Behavioral Theorists

Answer 3

• placed less emphasis on learning theory framework
• focused exclusively on cognitive processes and their impact on behavior

Question 4

current Cognitive Behavioral Perspective

Answer 4

focus: how thoughts and information processing can become distorted and lead to maladaptive emotions and behavior

• central construct is the SCHEMA adapted by Beck

Question 5

Schemas and Cognitive Distortions

Answer 5

we have schemas about other people, social roles and events

• self-schema, assimilation, accommodation

Question 6

self-schema

Answer 6

views on who we are, what we might become, what is important to us, who we ought or should be, who we are not, notions of roles

Question 7

assimilation

Answer 7

integrate new experiences into our existing cognitive frameworks, even if we have to distort

Question 8

accommodation

Answer 8

change existing frameworks to make it possible to incorporate new information

Question 9

Aaron Beck’s view on Psychopathology

Answer 9

maladaptive schemas develop due to adverse early learning, results in distorted thinking and information processing which are characteristic of certain disorders.

• e.g. depressed pts show memory biases favoring negative information over positive or neutral information
• information is processed non-consciously (not the Freudian unconscious); (term for mental processes that are occurring w/o our being aware of them)

Question 10

Attribution Theory

Answer 10

contributed to Cognitive Behavioral Approach

• attribution: the process of assigning causes to things that happen (e.g. if you fail an exam, what led to the failure?)
• attribution styles may be associated w/ specific mental disorders
• e.g. depressed (Internal, Stable, Global for negative events), non-depressed-self-serving bias (Internal, Stable, Global for positive events)

Question 11

Cognitive Therapy

Answer 11

Shift in focus from overt behavior to the underlying cognitions assumed to be producing the maladaptive emotions and behavior

• fundamental to Beck’s perspective: the idea that
  the way we interpret events and experiences determines our emotional reactions to them
• goal: How to best alter distorted and a maladaptive cognitions and the underlying maladaptive schemas associated w/ them

Question 12

filtering

Answer 12

dwell on the negative and ignore positives

Question 13

dichotomous thinking (all or none, black and white)

Answer 13

see things as absolute, black and white categories

Question 14

overgeneralization

Answer 14

view a negative event as a never-ending pattern of defeat

Question 15

magnification (catastrophizing) or minimization

Answer 15

blow things out of proportion or shrink their importance inappropriately

Question 16

personalization and blame

Answer 16

• blame yourself for something you’re not totally responsible for
• blame other people and overlook your contributions

Question 17

fortune-telling

Answer 17

arbitrarily predict that things will turn out badly

Question 18

mind reading

Answer 18

assume that people are reacting negatively to you when there’s no definite evidence

Question 19

Impact of the Cognitive Behavioral Perspective

Answer 19

• traditional Behaviorists initially skeptical, cognitions are not observable phenomena”
• empirical Support
• advancements in our understanding of cognition and sophistication in our means of studying cognition have reduced criticisms

Question 20

limitation of the Cognitive Behavioral Perspective

Answer 20

• too simplistic
• permanent change?

Question 21

Psychological Factors that lead to vulnerability to disorder or precipitate disorder, developmental influences include:

Answer 21

• Early deprivation or trauma
• Institutionalization
• Neglect and abuse in the home
• Separation
• Marital discord and divorce
• Maladaptive peer relationships
• Prejudice and discrimination in race, gender and ethnicity
• Inadequate parenting styles (parental psychopathology, parenting styles: authoritative, authoritarian, permissive, neglectful)

Question 22

Impact of the Social Perspective

Answer 22

research has led to programs for improving social conditions and community facilities, but therapist interventions are limited

• we can’t always change an individual’s social circumstance (e.g. “Multi-systems” Interventions

Question 23

Cultural Perspective

Answer 23

• sociology and anthropology enhance the understanding of sociocultural factors in human development and behavior
• individual personality development reflects the norms and values of larger society
• stressors specific to one society can produce mental disorders specific to that society