Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Lecture Notes

Vocabulary flashcards summarizing key terms, theories, techniques, roles, and cognitive distortions from the CBT lecture notes.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

A therapy approach that combines cognitive restructuring with behavioral techniques; most widely researched and practiced form of psychotherapy.

Major Types of CBT

Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy (REBT) and Aaron Beck’s Cognitive Therapy (CT).

Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy (REBT)

First CBT, developed by Albert Ellis; targets irrational beliefs to reduce emotional disturbance and self-defeating behavior.

Albert Ellis

Psychologist who created REBT, emphasizing the role of irrational beliefs in psychological distress.

ABC Model (REBT)

A=Activating event, B=Belief, C=Consequence; illustrates how beliefs about events, not the events themselves, create emotional outcomes.

ABCDEF Sequence

Extension of ABC adding D=Disputing, E=Effect of disputing, F=New Feeling; shows how change occurs in REBT.

Disputing Irrational Beliefs

REBT cognitive technique involving Detecting, Discriminating, and Debating illogical ‘musts,’ ‘shoulds,’ and ‘oughts.’

REBT Cognitive Methods

Strategies such as logical analysis and disputation aimed at challenging irrational thoughts.

REBT Emotive Techniques

Methods like rational-emotive imagery used to evoke healthier emotions while rehearsing rational beliefs.

REBT Behavioral Techniques

Homework, modeling, and experiential exercises designed to reinforce rational thinking through action.

Four Steps of REBT

1) Reveal irrational shoulds/oughts; 2) Show self-reinforcement of disturbance; 3) Replace illogical thinking; 4) Build a rational life philosophy.

Therapist Role in REBT

Acts like a teacher, uses direct and sometimes confrontational methods, and offers unconditional acceptance.

Client Role in REBT

Learns rational thought, performs behavioral homework, practices new philosophies in daily life.

Cognitive Therapy (CT)

Aaron Beck’s approach focusing on modifying inaccurate or distorted thoughts to change emotions and behavior.

Aaron Beck

American psychiatrist who developed Cognitive Therapy emphasizing the interaction of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.

Origins of Problems in CT

Stem from faulty information processing—e.g., inaccurate inferences and inability to separate fantasy from reality.

Cognitive Distortion

Habitual error in thinking that skews perception and contributes to emotional distress.

Arbitrary Inference

Drawing conclusions without supporting evidence.

Selective Abstraction

Focusing on negative details while ignoring positive or neutral information.

Overgeneralization

Applying a single negative event to unrelated contexts or future situations.

Magnification (Catastrophizing)

Exaggerating the importance or impact of an event.

Minimization

Downplaying the significance of positive experiences or achievements.

Personalization

Assuming external events are related to oneself without proof of connection.

Labeling/Mislabeling

Defining oneself or others by mistakes, using global negative terms (e.g., “I’m a failure”).

Polarization (Dichotomous Thinking)

Viewing situations in all-or-nothing, black-and-white categories.

Jumping to Conclusions

Making judgments with little evidence; includes mind-reading (others’ thoughts) and fortune-telling (future outcomes).

Change Process in CT

Identify distortions, test automatic thoughts against evidence, and replace them with realistic alternatives.

Therapist Role in CT

Collaborative, empathetic guide who helps clients frame beliefs and designs homework to test them.

Client Role in CT

Active participant who identifies distortions, completes homework, and practices adaptive thinking.

REBT vs. CT

REBT is directive and labels thoughts irrational; CT is collaborative, views thoughts as inaccurate, and uses behavioral experiments to test beliefs.