4.2 Discussion Cognitions and Behavior
Today, it may seem like common sense to say that how you think affects your behavior, but it’s only been in recent decades that we’ve had the research to support such a claim. Much of this research comes from studies done with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT focuses on understanding how thoughts and emotions influence behavior. For example, depression might be linked to the thoughts and perceptions a person has about himself or herself. If a person feels that everyone at the workplace is smarter than she is, she may turn down or undermine opportunities for advancement. Or, a person may feel as though his social skills are inferior to everyone else’s and make excuses to avoid social situations, then feel isolated and sad. CBT helps a person explore those distorted thoughts and correct those thoughts, leading to changes in behavior.
The development of cognitive behavioral therapy has traditionally been linked to Aaron Beck, a psychiatrist who began experimenting with the association between thoughts and feelings in the 1960s. He came up with the term “automatic thoughts” to describe how emotion-laden thoughts could arise in a person’s mind without that person being fully aware of them. He learned that if a person could identify these negative and distorted thoughts, they could learn to change them and, in turn, change their behavior. CBT is one of the most common therapeutic approaches used today to treat a wide range of conditions, including depression, anxiety, phobias, and addictions.
In this discussion, you’ll have the opportunity to explore this link between thoughts and behavior as it applies to your own life and what you’ve seen in others. You will also take it one step further by applying the idea to how Christians can better nurture their relationship with God. Unfortunately, many people reject faith in God due to faulty views of who God is or what their relationship with him implies, based on early life experiences. Perhaps through learning more about how distorted thoughts affect behavior, we might be able to help others, or even ourselves, root out some of those negative thoughts and replace them with the truth.
Upon successful completion of this discussion, you will be able to:
· Assess the principles of cognitive psychology and cognitive behavioral therapy.
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Resources
· Article: Cognitive Psychology
· Article: The Origins of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
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Background Information
Before you participate in the discussion, you should first read the article “Cognitive Psychology,” which gives a good overview of cognitive psychology. Follow that with the article “The Origins of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT),” which will help you understand the progression of the cognitive movement into therapeutic applications. CBT is currently the most popular therapeutic approach in clinical practice.
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Instructions
1. Review the rubric to make sure you understand the criteria for earning your grade.
2. Read the following articles before writing your assignment:
a. “ Cognitive Psychology ”
b. “ The Origins of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy ”
3. Navigate to the discussion topic and respond to the following discussion questions:
a. The basis of cognitive psychology and especially cognitive therapy is that thoughts affect behavior. Do you agree with that assumption? Explain.
b. Give an example to illustrate how a person’s thought process might influence his or her behavior. Make the example from your own life or from the life of someone you know personally.
c. Suggest one way that changing thought patterns could help a Christian better nurture their relationship with God.
d. Can changing distorted thoughts about God change how we worship, pray, read scripture, and fellowship? If so, how?
e. Are there situations where the reverse might be more effective: first changing the behavior to change the thought? Explain.
4. Your initial post:
a. Should be 400 to 500 words.
b. Be well developed by providing clear answers with evidence of critical thinking.
c. Add greater depth to the discussion by introducing new ideas.
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