Topic 3: The Cognitive Explanation Flashcards
What is cognition?
Cognition is the process of thought, attention, and perception, which explains behavior.
How does cognition relate to mental disorders?
People with mental disorders may have faulty cognitions, meaning their way of thinking creates difficulties rather than the situation itself.
How do people with depression typically think?
They tend to hold irrational beliefs and interpret situations negatively.
What is the ABC model proposed by Ellis?
- Activating event: The situation you experience.
- Belief: Your beliefs about the situation.
- Consequence: Your emotional or behavioral response.
What is cognitive distortion?
A type of irrational thinking where individuals automatically form highly negative and inaccurate perceptions of reality.
Who identified cognitive distortions and their impact on mental health?
Beck (1976) and later Burns (1989).
What are some common cognitive distortions?
- Over-generalization – Viewing one bad event as a never-ending struggle.
- Filtering – Focusing on negatives while ignoring positives.
- Catastrophization – Exaggerating the severity of a situation.
- Dichotomous reasoning – Seeing things in all-or-nothing terms.
What is an example of over-generalization?
“Everything always goes wrong for me.”
What is an example of filtering?
“I passed the test, but I made a silly mistake, so now I’m not good enough.”
What is an example of catastrophization?
“I got the customer’s order wrong, so now I’m going to be fired.”
What is an example of dichotomous reasoning?
“If you aren’t perfect, you’re bad.”
Where do cognitive distortions originate from?
Beck proposed Schema Development, where early childhood experiences shape thought patterns.
What happens if negative schemas are not changed?
They lead to cognitive distortions when triggered by life events.
What is the Negative Cognitive Triad?
A cycle of negative thoughts including:
Negative views about the world
Negative views about the future
Negative views about oneself
