Foundations of Cognitive Therapy: Theoretical Methods and Practical Applications

Cognitive therapy is one of the newest and most promising developments in the psychotherapeutic field. Following the basic proposals of Beck, Ellis, and Frankl, an increasing amount of work is being done which shows a strong interest by behavior therapists in cognitive strategies. An in­ creasing number of outcome studies show that cognitive methods are effective in many disorders, and it can be predicted that they will have a growing part to play in the practice of psychological therapies. In spite of this, the development is only in its beginnings. Especially from a theoretical standpoint, many of the proposed techniques lack a sufficient foundation, and the implications of important results from dif­ ferent areas of psychology for providing a theoretical basis for cognitive intervention have not yet been sufficiently recognized. To investigate these developments is the main purpose of this book. The intention of the authors is not to give a summary of the present status of cognitive therapy but to try to show its possibilities for future development. A number of areas of psychological research have been selected as being the most important for future development of cognitive therapeutic techniques: the genetic theory of Piaget, the investigations of attitude theory, attribution theory, and psychological action theory, and the psy­ chology of problem-solving. After a description of the latest developments in these areas, the authors attempt to extract the theoretical implications for cognitive ther­ apy and, on this basis, to make a few initial proposals for practice.

1 Cognitive Therapy: Introduction to the Subject.- 1. Definitions.- 2. Cognitive Therapy.- 2.1. Cognitive Therapy as a Result of a Turnabout from Psychoanalysis.- 2.2. Cognitive Therapy as a Development within Behavior Therapy.- 3. The Common Elements of Cognitive Therapies.- 4. The Present Theoretical Status of Cognitive Therapy.- References.- 2 Developmental Cognitive Theory, Personality, and Therapy.- 1. Principles of a Genetic Theory of Cognition.- 1.1. Cognitive Structures.- 1.2. Cognition and Meaning—Functions of Cognitive Structures.- 1.3. The Memory Function of Cognitive Structures.- 1.4. The “Systems” Aspect of Cognitive Structures.- 1.5. The Dynamic Character of Cognitive Structures.- 1.6. The Generality and Specificity of Cognitive Structures.- 1.7. The Genesis and Development of Cognitive Structures.- 1.8. Social Conditions in the Development of Cognitive Structures.- 2. Personality and Personality Disorders from the Viewpoint of the Theory of Cognition.- 2.1. Personality.- 2.2. Explanations of Personality Disorders by Cognitive Theories.- 3. Therapy Based on Cognitive Theory.- 3.1. General Theoretical Principles and Considerations.- 3.2. General Guidelines for Therapeutic Management.- 4. Cognitive-Theory Interpretations of Behavior Therapy.- Techniques.- References.- 3 Attitude Change and Cognitive Therapy.- 1. Introduction.- 2. Attitude and Behavior.- 2.1. The Concept of Attitude.- 2.2. Attitudes and Behavior: Empirical Evidence.- 2.3. The Connection between Attitudes and Behavior.- 2.4. Attitudes and Problem Behavior.- 3. Attitude Change and Cognitive Therapy.- 3.1. Strategies for Changing Beliefs, Attitudes, and Intentions.- 3.2. Changes through Verbal Communication.- 3.3. Changes Based on Active Participation.- References.- 4 The Problem of Attribution and Cognitive Therapy.- 1. Introduction.- 2. Classical Theories of Attribution: General Introduction and Comparison of the Theories.- 2.1. Heider’s Naive Phenomenology (1958).- 2.2. Jones and Davis: Correspondence Theory (1965).- 2.3. Kelley: Attribution Theory (1967, 1973).- 3. Aspects of the More Recent Attribution Research Relevant to Clinical Practice.- 4. Attribution Therapy.- 5. Summary and Critique.- References.- 5 Implications of Action Theory for Cognitive Therapy.- 1. Introduction.- 2. Cognition versus Reinforcement: Is There a Noncognitive Therapy?.- 3. Cognition and Emotion.- 4. Cognition and Behavior I: Cognitive Factors in the Regulation of Behavior.- 5. Cognition and Behavior II: Mechanisms of Cognitive Action Regulation.- 5.1. The Sequential Organization of Action.- 5.2. The Hierarchical Organization of Action.- 5.3. The Levels of Regulation.- 5.4. Criteria of Effective Action.- 6. Implications of an Action-Theory Approach.- 6.1. General Therapeutic Rules Derived from Action Theory.- 6.2. A Taxonomy of Behavioral Disorders in the Context of Action Theory.- 7. Conclusion.- References.- 6 Problem Solving and Cognitive Therapy.- 1. Introduction.- 2. Problem-Solving Skills as the Therapeutic Goal.- 3. Problems and Their Classification.- 4. Cognitive Structures and Cognitive Operations.- 5. Heuristic Procedures in Problem Solving.- 6. Approaches for the Enhancement of Competence in Problem Solving.- 7. Problem Solving in Cognitive Therapy.- 8. Problem Solving under the Conditions of Therapy.- References.- 7 Cognitive Therapy in the Treatment of Depression.- 1. Overview.- 2. The Cognitive Model of Depression.- 2.1. The Development of Depression.- 2.2. The Cognitive Model of Depression: Empirical Investigations.- 3. Cognitive Therapy of Depression.- 3.1. Behavioral Techniques.- 3.2. Cognitive Strategies.- References.- 8 The Applicability of Cognitive Components of Behavior in Diagnosis and Therapy: Practical Approaches for a Cognitive Theory.- 1. Therapy as a Cognitive-Social Problem-Solving Process.- 2. Diagnostic Applicability of Cognitive Components of Behavior.- 2.1. Problem Description: Data Investigation and Organization.- 2.2. Analysis of Conditions: Systematization and Evaluation.- 2.3. Determination and Analysis of Goals.- 2.4. Basic Plans for Change.- 2.5. Inducing and Evaluating Behavior.- 3. Therapeutic Applicability of Cognitive Components of Behavior.- 3.1. Therapeutic Dialogue: Necessary Framework for a Cognitively Oriented Therapy.- 3.2. Therapeutic Strategies to Modify Cognitive Determinants of Behavior.- 3.3. Therapeutic Transfer.- 4. Final Remarks.- References.- 9 The Problem of the Use of Cognitive Constructs and Cognitive Terminology: A Critical Analysis Exemplified by the Construct of ‘Learned Helplessness’.- 1. The Definition of Cognition.- 2. The Use of Cognitive Concepts in the Paradigm of Helplessness.- 3. The Use of Cognitive Concepts.- References.- Author Index.