COGNITIVE: assumptions, relationship, therapy

Question 1

Outline the computer analogy assumption

Answer 1

-human mind works in a similar way to a computer - a computer will receive an input, process it, display and store, then output recalling a document previously saved. Human mind is similar
- senses work as an input, info is then stored and retrieved when needed
- main difference is humans have thoughts and emotions that impact memory
- listen, rehearse, recall
EG: The Multistore Memory Model ( Atkinson and Shriffin 1968 )
— proposed that info enters brain through senses and then moves to short term memory store then to long term memory store
— when info is retrieved it becomes output which is v similar to how a computer works

Question 2

Outline the assumption of internal mental processes

Answer 2

• use our senses to collect info from the outside world and then use internal mental processes to interpret this info
• ie memory, language, attention and decision making and perception all work together to understand the world. They are often automatic processes
• recognising a cat - attention, perceive, memory of existing schema, language to name = information processing
• humans use cognitive processes to make sense of world around them. Use introspection when a P describes how a stimulus makes them feel
  EG: Griffiths (1994) asked Ps to use introspection when playing on a fruit machine. Interested in processes that regular gamblers and non-regular gamblers made. Ps asked to ‘think aloud’
  — regular gamblers made more rational verbalisations than non-regular

Question 3

Outline the assumption of schemas

Answer 3

• schemas are organised knowledge packets of info. They are how our mind stores info in long term memory. When we think about a topic, that schema is activated
• schemas can change with experience - if you learn a new fact, your schema will adapt
• variety of forms
• scripts are particularly popular - how we expect certain situations to unfold, scripts for social situations
  EG: halo effect
  — suggest that if our schema for an individual contains positive impressions, we are likely to believe they have other positive characteristics as well
  EG: Dion et al (1972)
  — individuals judged to be physically attractive were also judged to be more competent romantic partners, successful in careers and have more positive attributes -> may enter relationships based on schema

Question 4

Apply assumptions from the cognitive approach to the formation of a relationship

Answer 4

• internal mental processes (romantic)
• in terms of perception, how we perceive someone will influence if we want to form a relationship with them, as will perception of ourselves. Perceptions on first impression will determine if you want to see them again and possibly form a relationship with them
• in terms of memory, if positive memories of past relationships a person may be driven to form new relationships
• Halo effect - people judged to be attractive typically seen in a positive light - Dion et al (successful, kind, sociable etc) - tend to behave more positively toward attractive people due to our expectations
• choose a partner who matches their own level of physical attractiveness - matching hypothesis
  —> balance between desire to have most physically attractive partner and wish to avoid rejection from someone out of their league. Settle for partner w relatively similar attractiveness

Question 5

Explain why a psychologist from the cognitive approach would view CBT as an appropriate therapy

Answer 5

• cognitive approach suggest that normal behaviour is a result of rational thoughts
• an individuals internal mental processes will all work together to form a rational view of the world
• abnormal behaviour is therefore a result of irrational thought patterns
  —> it is in the processing part of the computer analogy where faulty thought patterns are created - for example, if an individual overhears a friend saying something negative about them and now they feel all people dislike them
• therefore the aim of CBT is to challenge and change these irrational thoughts. A CBT therapist would discuss the individuals thoughts and feelings about particular events and help the client to think rationally about their thoughts, like by asking the client evidence for their irrational thoughts
• CBT equips the individual with skills and techniques to challenge their irrational thoughts with rational thoughts. Then the individual will have replaced abnormal behaviour with normal

Question 6

Describe the main components of CBT

Answer 6

• combat the cognitive and behavioural aspects of clients behaviour
• cognitive - replace faulty thought patterns through cognitive restructuring - provide evidence for irrational thoughts, challenge, identify overgeneralisation
• behavioural - therapist engage in role play or set homework (reality testing) to practise ideas in cognitive section
  —> Aaron Beck suggested CBT could be used to break negative cognitive triad that depressed individuals experience (negative view of themselves, the world and the future)
• both client and therapist play active role:
  1 - keep a dysfunctional thought diary after consultation:
  
  • record of events leading to negative emotions
  • record automatic negative thoughts and rate how much they believe in them
  • write a rational response and rate their belief in that
  • then re-rate automatic
    —> all stages found in cognitive approach - thoughts and perception only
    2 - cognitive restructuring:
  • client and therapist work together to identify and change negative thought patterns
  • client taught to challenge dysfunctional thoughts by asking where’s the evidence
    —> try out new ways of behaving
    3 - pleasant activity scheduling:
  • client has to plan one pleasant activity a day so they feel they’ve accomplished something, encouraging positive emotions
  • keep record of experience and if it didn’t go to plan, they find a way to change it
  • toward positive solution and away from negative thinking and maladaptive behaviour

Question 7

Effectiveness evaluation: side effects

Answer 7

• strength
• do not abuse side effects like nausea or insomnia
• improve effectiveness as less likely to be discouraged and therefore more likely to continue with the therapy and complete it
• some patients do report anxious mood, flashbacks, frustration, stress and hunger - arguably better than physical harm, and is all part of processes
  —> face validity

Question 8

Effectiveness evaluation: patient involvement

Answer 8

• strength
• involved with all components of CBT as it provides empowerment
  —> develop their own coping strategies therefore are independent and responsible for recovery
• cognitive approach may be determinist in the way it suggests we are determined by how we think, CBT recognises free will and the ability to change how we think
  —> face validity

Question 9

Effectiveness evaluation: individual differences taken into account

Answer 9

• weakness as they are not
• CBT may not be appropriate for those with high levels of irrational beliefs or beliefs that are resistant to change
• CBT has its limitations in situations where negative thought is caused by very real stressors ( Simons et al 1995). Not a mental illness but a direct response to a stressful life event
• weakness as is often argued that CBT treats symptoms of mental illness not the cause, as the stress is still present after therapy
  —> application

Question 10

Effectiveness evaluation: not a complete solution

Answer 10

• CBT treat underlying cause as focuses on changing thoughts of client from irrational to rational
• not a complete solution as doesn’t take into account all contributing factors
• if someone is suffering from depression or anxiety due to an abusive relationship, the therapy may initially help them but as soon as they go home the negative feelings return
  —> application

Question 11

Effectiveness evaluation: highly effective in treating anxiety and depression

Answer 11

• evidence
• Cahill et al (2003) assessed severity of symptoms after each therapy session of 58 patients receiving CBT
• by the end of 12-20 sessions, 71% reported a significant reduction in their symptoms
• only 13% of patients who did not complete the therapy showed improvment
  —> external validity

Question 12

Ethics evaluation: patient blame

Answer 12

• weakness
• assumes the client is responsible for their disorder
  -situational factors that could contribute to the disorder are often overlooked therefore patient blame is not helpful as it may be other factors that are creating this negative thinking (ie abuse)
  —> respect

Question 13

Ethics evaluation: judgment of irrational beliefs

Answer 13

• weakness
• therapist may view thoughts as irrational but they may not actually be
• self esteem of client could be affected leading to a risk of harm
• the ‘sadder but wiser’ effect suggests individuals with depression may actually be more accurate at predicting outcomes as they do not see their lives with a rose tinted glass like the non-depressed do
• leads to the question of whether CBT should be used to change thought patterns which may actually be more accurate despite being less desirable
  —> integrity

Question 14

Ethics evaluation: empowerment

Answer 14

• strength
• gives client the power to change, raises self esteem
• self help and free will
• they are in control and feel responsible for their own recovery via homework, diary, activity scheduling etc
  —> respect