CBT - CHAPTER 67 😛

What is the core principle of behaviour therapy?

Behaviour is learned, and can therefore be changed through learning principles

What does behaviour therapy focus on instead of unconscious processes?

Observable behaviours

What learning theories does modern behaviour therapy integrate?

Classical conditioning, operant conditioning, social learning theory, and behavioural science.

According to behaviour therapy, what causes psychological problems?

Maladaptive learning.

How does behaviour therapy believe change occurs?

Through conditioning, reinforcement, and exposure.

What is the general style of behaviour therapy (structure)?

Active, directive, structured, present-focused.

Where does CBT fall on the directiveness continuum?

High directiveness (similar to Ellis and Freud).

Which theorist uses the highest level of interpretation?

Freud.

Which therapy maintains the lowest imbalance of power?

Rogers (Client-Centered Therapy)

Where does CBT fall on interpretation?

Moderate-high (less than Freud, more than Rogers/Perls).

Where is CBT on the power continuum?

Moderate (more power than Rogers/Perls, less than Ellis/Freud).

Which theorists provided the foundation for behaviour therapy?

Pavlov, Skinner, Watson, Wolpe, Eysenck, Bandura.

Who discovered classical conditioning?

Pavlov

Who developed operant conditioning?

B.F. Skinner

What did Watson argue about psychology?

It should focus on observable behaviour, not unmeasurable psychodynamic concepts.

What is meant by humans being “tabula rasa”?

Personality and emotion are learned entirely through experience.

What major shift did the 1970s–80s bring to behaviour therapy?

Integration with cognitive theories → rise of CBT.

What is the definition of learning in behaviour therapy?

A relatively permanent change in behaviour or behaviour potential due to experience.

What is social learning?

Learning indirectly by observing the consequences of others’ behaviours

What is the behavioural view of emotions?

Emotions are epiphenomenal (side effects of behaviour), not causes.

Does behaviour therapy emphasize a fixed personality structure?

No — behaviour is shaped by learning history and environmental contingencies.

When do maladaptive behaviours persist?

When they are reinforced (internally or externally).

What maintains anxiety disorders?

Avoidance behaviours.

What guides treatment planning in behaviour therapy?

Behavioural assessment of target behaviours, triggers, consequences, frequency, duration, intensity, and context.

What type of goals does behaviour therapy use?

Behavioural, measurable, observable goals.

How does behaviour therapy view emotion change?

Changing behaviour leads to emotional regulation.

What is the goal of classical conditioning strategies in therapy?

Extinction of conditioned fear responses.

What are the steps of systematic desensitization?

Teach relaxation → create fear hierarchy → pair relaxation with feared stimuli.

What is the principle behind systematic desensitization?

Reciprocal inhibition: you can’t be anxious and relaxed at the same time.

What is exposure therapy?

Confronting feared stimuli gradually or intensely to extinguish fear.

What are types of exposure?

In vivo, imaginal, interoceptive, and flooding.

What is stimulus generalization?

A learned response extends to similar stimuli

What is extinction?

Conditioned response fades when the CS is present without reinforcement.

What is response prevention?

Exposing clients to triggers while preventing the compulsive response (OCD).

What is positive reinforcement?

Adding a reward to increase behaviour.

What is negative reinforcement?

Removing something aversive to increase behaviour.

What is shaping?

Reinforcing successive approximations of a desired behaviour.

What is contingency management?

Modifying behaviour by altering the consequences tied to it.

What is a token economy?

Tokens earned for desired behaviours and exchanged for rewards.

What is the Law of Effect?

Behaviours followed by desirable outcomes increase; undesirable outcomes decrease.

Why must reinforcement be immediate?

To strengthen learning and behaviour change.

Which reinforcement schedule produces the most persistent behaviour?

Variable ratio (VR).

What is modeling in behaviour therapy?

Client learns new behaviours by observing the therapist or others.

What is vicarious learning?

Learning indirectly by watching others being rewarded or punished.

What skills are commonly taught in behaviour therapy?

Social skills, assertiveness, anger management, communication.

What are common relaxation techniques?

Progressive muscle relaxation, breathing techniques.

What is the goal of behavioural activation?

Increase engagement in meaningful, reinforcing activities to treat depression.

Example of classical conditioning in medical treatment

Antabuse: alcohol (CS) paired with nausea (CR) to reduce drinking.

What disorders is behaviour therapy most strongly associated with?

Anxiety disorders (phobias, OCD, panic, PTSD).

What is first-line treatment for anxiety?

Exposure-based therapies.

What is the behavioural approach to depression?

Behavioural activation and reducing avoidance.

What is contingency management used for?

Substance use disorders.

How has behaviour therapy influenced modern therapy?

It shaped CBT and behavioural medicine and introduced measurable, empirical approaches.

What core idea is cognitive therapy (CT) based on?

Psychological problems arise from distorted thinking, which influences emotions and behaviour.

What is the therapeutic style of CT?

Structured, time-limited, collaborative, and problem-focused.

How directive is CBT/CT?

Highly directive — therapist structures the program and leads the process.

How is interpretation viewed in CT?

Both therapist and client interpret emotions and thoughts since they’re accessible at the surface.

How does CT view power in the therapeutic relationship?

Generally, therapist has expertise, but the client holds control.

How does CT this differ from Freud’s view of power?

Freud believed insight only happens in session through the analyst; CT believes clients choose to practice and learn outside sessions.

Who developed cognitive therapy and when?

Aaron Beck (1960s).

Why did Beck develop CT?

As an alternative to psychoanalysis, after finding depressed clients had recurring negative automatic thoughts.

What is the negative cognitive triad?

Negative view of self, world, and future.

How did CT evolve over time?

Expanded to wider use; became a major evidence-based therapy and foundation of CBT

How did Beck view the mind?

Like a computer — it processes and evaluates information, not just reacts to stimuli.

How did CT differ from behaviourism?

CT focused on evaluation and interpretation, not automatic stimulus–response behaviour.

How does CT view personality?

Through schemas — deep cognitive structured formed through past learning

What do schemas do?

Influence perception, interpretation, and emotional/behavioural responses.

What makes schemas problematic?

Maladaptive schemas create vulnerability to psychological problems.

What are automatic thoughts?

Quick, habitual, often distorted thoughts arising from schemas.

What is arbitrary inference?

Drawing personal conclusions without evidence.

What is a self-fulfilling prophecy in CT terms?

Negative interpretations that reinforce maladaptive outcomes.

Why are automatic thoughts difficult to notice?

They become immediate, habitual, and unconscious.

What is the therapeutic relationship in CT called?

Collaborative empiricism — therapist and client examine thoughts like a scientific team.

What is the tone of the therapist in CT?

Active, warm, guiding.

How long does CT usually last?

Time-limited, commonly 12–20 sessions.

What is a major goal of CT regarding independence?

Teach the client to become their own therapist.

How do clients learn to identify automatic thoughts?

Track thoughts in triggering situations and notice emotional shifts.

What is cognitive restructuring?

Evaluating evidence for/against thoughts and generating balanced alternatives.

What are behavioural experiments used for?

Testing beliefs in real situations to gather disconfirming evidence.

What is activity scheduling used for?

Increasing engagement in reinforcing behaviours (especially in depression).

What are graded task assignments?

Breaking large tasks into smaller steps to reduce overwhelm.

What does problem-solving training teach?

Planning, evaluating options, and making decisions.

What is a thought record?

A worksheet analyzing situations, automatic thoughts, distortions, and alternatives.

How does CT address anxiety?

Reduce exaggeration of threat, identify avoidance, combine cognitive work with exposure/behavioural experiments.

How does CT treat depression?

Target the negative triad, increase activity, challenge distortions, identify themes of loss and failure.

How is CT used for personality disorders?

Long-term focus on core beliefs and schemas

How is CT used in family/couple therapy?

Identifying misinterpretations, communication issues, and modifying rigid/blaming beliefs.

What does CT emphasize as the source of psychological problems?

Distorted thoughts.

What happens when thoughts are changed?

Mood and functioning improve.