CognitiveBehavioral Theories: Albert Ellis, Aaron Beck, Arnold Lazarus

Chapter 16

Albert Ellis
Grew up in the Bronx during the Depression Focused on research relating to sexuality Became interested in psychoanalysis but gave it up to look for a more effective method

Theory of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT)

REBT based in Stoic philosophy and Alfred Adlers writings Human beings have four fundamental and interrelated processes: perception, movement, thinking, and emotion A-B-C theory suggests how people develop irrational belief systems when a highly charged emotional consequence follows an activating event

Ellis's A-B-C Theory

Rational Emotive Behavior Psychotherapy

Goal of therapy is to enable clients to commit themselves to actions that correspond to their true value system The three main therapeutic processes are Cognitive Emotive-evocative Behavioral

Thinking Critically A Self-Help Form

Thinking Critically A Self-Help Form

(continued)

Behavior Therapy Examples

Desensitization Implosion Therapy

Aaron Beck
Yale School of Medicine gave him the M.D. certified in psychiatry Embarked on research to substantiate psychoanalytic concepts Failure of psychoanalysis led him to develop cognitive therapy to treat depression

Theory Behind Cognitive Therapy

Cognitive therapy derived from Phenomenological approach to psychology Structural theory and Freud Cognitive psychology

Cognitive therapy based on theory of personality that maintains that how one thinks largely determines how one feels and behaves

 Cognitive Schemas Structures that consist of an individuals fundamental beliefs and assumptions about how the world works Automatic Thoughts Involuntary, unintentional, and preconscious thoughts that are hard to regulate Cognitive Distortions Systematic errors in reasoning

Theory Behind Cognitive Therapy

Thinking Critically
Automatic Thoughts Diary Beck suggested that clients keep a Daily Record of Dysfunctional Thoughts Answer the following questions whenever you experience a negative feeling In what situation did the feeling occur? What (automatic) thought passed through your mind? What type of cognitive distortion can you identify in your thinking (see Table 16.1)? How could you rationally and constructively respond to the thought? How might your new response change your emotions?

Cognitive Distortions

Cognitive Distortions (continued)

Theory Behind Cognitive Therapy

Dimension of Sociotropy and Autonomy Two dimensions of personality Sociotropic dimension Autonomous dimension Cognitive Triad Tendency for depressed individuals to have a negative view of the self, the world, and the future

Cognitive Psychotherapy
Cognitive and behavioral methods Challenge dysfunctional beliefs Promote more realistic thinking Consists of well defined therapeutic techniques that help clients experience affective arousal Cognitive therapy is presentcentered, directive, active, and problem-oriented

Assessment and Research

Developed Beck Depression Inventory Beck believed it was essential that people understand their unrealistic view of the world and life is responsible for their depression His work on depression, schizophrenia, and borderline personality has had a significant impact

Arnold Lazarus
Born South Africa B.A., M.A., and Ph.D. from University of Wiwatersrand Began his private practice in 1959 Immigrated to the US in 1967 Distinguished Professor of Psychology 1999 received two Lifetime Achievement Awards

The Development of a Theory and the BASIC-ID

Theory developed out of an emphasis on dyadic transactions - significant interpersonal relationships Comprehensive appraisal of personality called BASIC-ID Lazarus says people have different physical thresholds (tolerance levels for pain, frustration, and stress) and tend to favor some BASIC-ID

The BASIC-ID

Multimodal Therapy
Methods are performance-based Distinctive features Holistic approach Modality profiles Structural profiles Bridging Tracking Technical eclecticism

Cognitive Behavioral Theories in Perspective

Function as a philosophy, art, and science Most significant impact in the application and art of psychotherapy and counseling Third Wave behaviorism emphasizes mindfulness, noting thoughts and feelings without becoming enmeshed in them