Cognitive therapy
Basic Principles of Cognitive Therapy:
Development of Cognitive Distortions
- People's biology and genetic predispositions contribute to the development of dysfunctional cognitions
- Distorted cognitions begin to take shape in childhood and are reflected in people's fundamental beliefs, making people more susceptible to problems
- It is important to make an accurate diagnosis
- Mental disorder is characterized by predictable types of underlying cognitive distortions
Principles of Cognitive Therapy
Levels of Cognitions
Automatic Thoughts
Automatic Thoughts
- Stream of cognitions that constantly flow through our minds
- Automatic thoughts mediate between a situation and an emotion
- Example: "I can't be the sort of husband Sharon wants and our marriage will end." (Seligman & Reichenberg, 2014, p.297)
- Reflect extreme and absolute rules that shape automatic thoughts
- Example: A good husband must be willing to sacrifice his own needs for those of his wife and children. Marriage is a difficult endeavor at which few succeed." (Seligman & Reichenberg, 2014, p.297)
- Central ideas about ourselves that underlie many of our automatic cognitions and usually are reflected in our intermediate beliefs
- Example: "I am not able to love another person and have little to offer in my relationships." (Seligman & Reichenberg, 2014, p.297)
- Go beyond core beliefs and include thoughts, emotions, and actions
- "Specific rules that govern information processing and behavior" (Beck et. al., 2006, p.8)
- Example: "I am inadequate and am destined to fail, no matter how hard I try. This makes me feel discouraged about my upcoming marriage; I feel disaster and shame hanging over my head. What's the point of trying if I know I will fail at whatever I do." (Seligman & Reichenberg, 2014, p.297)