Identifying and Modifying Intermediate Beliefs

Vocabulary terms and definitions from a lecture regarding identifying, conceptualizing, and modifying intermediate and core beliefs in cognitive behavior therapy.

Intermediate Beliefs

Deep-seated ideas or understandings about oneself, others, and the world that are composed of rules, attitudes, and assumptions.

Core Beliefs

Rigid, global ideas about oneself, others, or the world that are the most central and deep-seated level of belief.

Cognitive Conceptualization Diagram

A cognitive map that depicts the relationship between core beliefs, intermediate beliefs, and current automatic thoughts to help organize patient data and plan therapy.

Rules

A type of intermediate belief representing a standard of behavior, such as "I should do things myself."

Attitudes

A type of intermediate belief that expresses an evaluation of a concept, such as "It is terrible to ask for help."

Assumptions

Conditional intermediate beliefs often phrased as "If… then…" statements that help the patient cope with a core belief.

Coping Strategies

Behavioral patterns or strategies, such as overpreparing or avoiding intimacy, developed to protect the patient from the pain of a core belief.

Downward Arrow Technique

A strategy identifying the meaning of an automatic thought to uncover intermediate and core beliefs by asking what a thought means if it were true.

Dysfunctional Attitude Scale (DAS)

A belief questionnaire that can be used as an adjunct to identify problematic belief themes in patients.

Cognitive Continuum

A technique used to modify polarized or all-or-nothing thinking by illustrating a concept on a scale from $0\%$ to $100\%$.

Intellectual–Emotional Role Play

Also called point–counterpoint, a technique where the therapist and patient play the "intellectual" and "emotional" parts of the mind to address beliefs that "feel" true despite logical evidence.

Acting "As If"

A technique where patients practice behaviors associated with a new, functional belief to help attenuate the old, dysfunctional belief.

Socratic Questioning

A collaborative method of evaluation that uses specific questions to help patients construct alternative viewpoints and modify rigid beliefs.

Behavioral Experiments

Tests devised by the therapist and patient to gather real-world data and evaluate the validity of a specific belief.