Clinical Psychology Lecture 8: Cognitive Models

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary focus of the cognitive model in clinical psychology?

Mental processes of perceiving and reasoning (correct)

Behavioral responses to stimuli

Unconscious motivations behind actions

Emotion-driven decision making

What do schemas represent in the cognitive model?

Dysfunctional thought patterns

Immediate reactions to external stimuli

Underlying assumptions based on experiences (correct)

The consequence of emotional responses

According to Ellis, what results from thinking irrationally?

Improved emotional stability

Psychological disturbances such as depression and anxiety (correct)

Increased logical reasoning

Enhanced problem-solving skills

What is the purpose of Beck’s cognitive therapy?

To modify irrational beliefs Signup and view all the answers

What are automatic thoughts characterized by?

Spontaneity and lack of articulation Signup and view all the answers

What triggers the activation of core beliefs?

Stress and negative life events Signup and view all the answers

In the ABC model proposed by Ellis, what does 'B' stand for?

Beliefs Signup and view all the answers

What is primarily assessed using cognitive-behavioral therapy?

Irrational beliefs and dysfunctional thought patterns Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes a helpless core belief?

I am ineffective and can't cope with challenges. Signup and view all the answers

What core belief is generally associated with anxiety according to cognitive theories?

I am unable to protect myself Signup and view all the answers

What type of cognitive distortion involves making general conclusions based on specific incidents?

Overgeneralization Signup and view all the answers

Which statement reflects an unlovable core belief?

I am likely to be rejected or abandoned. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements is part of the Negative Triad associated with depression?

I am incompetent/unlovable Signup and view all the answers

According to Beck's cognitive triad, which thought pattern is typically associated with depression?

Negative views about yourself and your capabilities. Signup and view all the answers

In cognitive behavioral therapy, what is the primary focus during initial sessions?

Emphasizing the present Signup and view all the answers

What does emotional reasoning in cognitive distortions imply?

Believing that feelings are facts. Signup and view all the answers

What process is described as leading to bodily sensations such as low energy and fatigue in response to a triggering event?

Appraisals Signup and view all the answers

Which cognitive distortion involves interpreting events in extremes, with no middle ground?

Dichotomous thinking Signup and view all the answers

What might an individual with anxiety avoid based on their beliefs?

Engaging in social interactions Signup and view all the answers

In the context of cognitive specificity hypothesis, how is depression typically characterized?

Negative views of self, others, and future events. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement reflects a belief associated with the Negative Triad in anxiety?

I will never be successful Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following does NOT represent a worthless core belief?

I am competent and capable. Signup and view all the answers

What are compensatory strategies commonly used for in cognitive conceptualization?

To cope with negative feelings Signup and view all the answers

In the context of cognitive behavioral therapy, what is considered a major assumption regarding behavior?

Behavior is shaped by cognitive processes Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Lecture 8: Basic Theoretical Models of Human Functioning in Clinical Psychology (Part III)

Lecture covers cognitive and cognitive-behavioral models in clinical psychology.
Cognitive models are based on the information processing viewpoint.
Cognition involves mental processes like perceiving, recognizing, judging, and reasoning.
Schemas are sets of underlying assumptions, beliefs, attributions, and expectancies, rooted in experience.
Irrational and maladaptive assumptions and thoughts are core to some psychological disturbances.
Beck's cognitive therapy targets distortions of thought processes, particularly in depression.
Ellis's Rational Emotive Therapy emphasizes irrational beliefs as contributors to psychological distress.
Modern cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) is more generalized than earlier models.

Ellis's Irrational Beliefs

Ellis proposed that thoughts can be rational or irrational.
Rational thoughts lead to rational actions and positive feelings.
Irrational thoughts can lead to negative or disturbed thinking patterns.
These patterns can lead to mental disorders like depression and anxiety.

Cognitive Model - Ellis

Dysfunctional thought patterns can lead to psychological problems.
Illogical thinking in response to life situations can cause psychological distress.
The model outlines the sequence of activating events, beliefs, and resulting consequences.

Automatic Thoughts

Automatic thoughts occur spontaneously in response to situations.
These thoughts are often shorthand—in words or images.
They are not based on reasoning and lack a logical sequence.
Automatic thoughts can be difficult to articulate and stop.
Stressful situations often trigger automatic thoughts that lead to negative emotions.

Core Beliefs

Core beliefs underlie and generate automatic thoughts.
They influence information processing and shape understanding of oneself, others, and the future.
Core beliefs remain dormant until activated by stress or negative life events.
Categories of core beliefs include helplessness, worthlessness, and unlovability.

Examples of Core Beliefs

Helpless: Inadequate, ineffective, out of control, can't cope.
Unlovable: Unlikeable, unwanted, rejected, abandoned.
Worthless: Worthless, unacceptable, bad, crazy, broken.

Beck's Cognitive Distortions

Patients with psychiatric disorders often display consistent negative thinking errors.
Includes arbitrary inference, selective abstraction, overgeneralization, magnification/minimization, dichotomous/polarized thinking.
Beck's cognitive triad (negative views of self, others, and the future) is often observed in depression.
There is an important connection between sensing risk as dangerously high and emotional experiences.
Emotional reasoning involves regarding feelings as facts.

Beck's Cognitive Triad

Three forms of negative thinking typical of people with depression:
- Negative views about the future.
- Negative views about themselves.
- Negative views about the world.

Cognitive Specificity Hypothesis

Psychological disorders are characterized by different psychological profiles.
Examples:
- Depression: negative views of self, others, and future. Core beliefs include helplessness, failure, incompetence, and unlovability.
- Anxiety: exaggerating physical/psychological threats. Core beliefs reflect risk, dangerousness, uncontrollability.

Cognitive Specificity - Negative Triad

Negative views associated with depression includes: self (incompetent/unlovable), others (people don't care about me), Future (the future is bleak).
Negative views associated with anxiety include: self (unable to protect myself), others (people will humiliate me), future (it's a matter of time before I'm embarrassed).

Cognitive Conceptualization

A model illustrating the interplay between current situations, thoughts, feelings, behaviors, and underlying core beliefs and assumptions.
The diagram shows a cyclical interplay between current situations and automatic thoughts about oneself, the world, and others, feeding back into physiological responses, feelings, behaviors, and underlying assumptions or core beliefs. Childhood and early life events can impact this structure.
Helps identify how dysfunctional core beliefs and early life experiences may contribute to a person's current thoughts, emotions, and actions.

Cognitive Behavioral Paradigm

Subsequent research in behavioral approaches highlighted the role of cognitive processes in learning.
Cognitive behavior therapists often focus on treatment, rather than etiology of a condition.
Learned behavior can be both "normal" and "abnormal" and are important facets of the model.

Working Model of CBT

Illustrates the flow of a triggering event and cognitive processes that lead a person to act in a certain way.
The model emphasizes appraisal, behavioral inclination, and bodily sensations as links between the event and behavior.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Goal-oriented and problem-focused therapy.
Initially emphasizes the present.
Educational approach, teaching the client to be their own therapist.
Identifies, evaluates, and addresses dysfunctional thoughts and beliefs.
Uses various techniques to alter thinking, mood, and behavior.

Etiology of Depressive and Bipolar Disorders

Genetic vulnerability plays a role in mood disorders, evidenced by concordance rates.
Neurochemicals like norepinephrine and serotonin are potentially involved.
Neuroanatomy, inflammation, cognitive factors (like learned helplessness, rumination), interpersonal relationships, and precipitating stress all influence the onset and development of mood disorders.

Interpreting Correlation Between Negative Thinking and Depression

Explains the connection between negative thinking (e.g., attributions) and depression.
Neurochemical changes are involved as a possible mechanism between cognitive processes and observed mood disorders.

Modern CBT

Includes specific forms of CBT, such as dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), acceptance and commitment training (ACT), mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT), metacognitive therapy (MCT), schema therapy, and panic control treatments (PCT).

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Description

This lecture explores basic theoretical models of human functioning in clinical psychology, focusing on cognitive and cognitive-behavioral models. Key concepts include schemas, irrational beliefs, and therapies developed by Beck and Ellis for addressing psychological disturbances. Gain insights into the evolution of modern cognitive behavior therapy.