Development of Cognitive Distortions
The purpose of cognitive therapy is to teach people to identify, evaluate, and modify their own dysfunctional thoughts and beliefs (Seligman & Reichenberg, 2014). Cognitive theorists believe that people's biology, genetic predispositions, and life experiences, among other things, contribute to the development dysfunctional cognitions (Seligman & Reichenberg, 2014). Cognitive therapists value the importance of making an accurate diagnosis and therefore perform an extensive intake interview. This will help give the clinician a good understanding of their clients' history, development, and background (Seligman & Reichenberg, 2014). According to cognitive theory, each mental disorder is characterized by predictable types of underlying cognitive distortions. Cognitive theorists focus primarily on thoughts, but also believe that the client should learn about and understand their feelings and behaviors. They also believe it is important to understand the emotional responses people have to their faulty cognitions and the impact of those cognitions on mood (Seligman & Reichenberg, 2014). According to cognitive theory, psychologically healthy people are aware of their cognitions and can systematically test their own hypotheses to find if they have dysfunctional and unwarranted assumptions. If they find they do, they can replace them with healthier, more accurate and helpful beliefs that lead to more positive emotions and behaviors (Seligman & Reichenberg, 2014).
Principles of Cognitive Therapy
Levels of Cognition
Cognitions can be categorized into 4 levels: automatic thoughts, intermediate beliefs, core beliefs, and schemas. Automatic thoughts are a stream of thoughts that constantly flow through our minds. They mediate between a situation and an emotion (Seligman & Reichenberg, 2014). Intermediate beliefs often reflect extreme and absolute rules and attitudes that shape people's automatic thoughts. Core beliefs are central ideas about ourselves that underlie many of our automatic cognitions and usually are reflected in our intermediate beliefs. They reflect our worldviews, views of other people, our future, and ourselves. Schemas go beyond core beliefs and include thoughts, emotions, and actions. Beck viewed schemas as "specific rules that govern information processing and behavior" (Seligman & Reichenberg, 2014). They lead us to have expectations about experiences, events, and roles and to amplify those with information contained in our schemas. They act as mental filters and effect the way we perceive reality. Schemas can be personal, familial, cultural, religious, gender related, or occupational in origin and application and they may be activated by a certain stimulus or may lay dormant until triggered (Seligman & Reichenberg, 2014). Cognitive therapy operates at several levels, seeking to elicit and change people's symptoms as well as their automatic thoughts, intermediate beliefs, core cognitions, and underlying schemas (Seligman & Reichenberg, 2014).