Table of Contents
What are the key points of Beck’s theory?
Beck’s cognitive theory considers the subjective symptoms such as a negative view of self, world, and future defining features of depression. The model assumes that psychopathological states represent extreme or excessive forms of normal cognitive, emotional, and behavioral functioning. Beck developed a cognitive explanation of depression which has three components: a) cognitive bias; b) negative self-schemas; c) the negative triad. Research suggests that cognitive distortions may occur in numerous mental health conditions. These include depression, dysphoria, and anxiety disorders. The assumption that dysfunctional thoughts underlie mood (and other) disorders is at the heart of cognitive therapy, which aims to alter negatively biased thoughts, also referred to as “dysfunctional thoughts” or “cogni- tive distortions.” Dysfunctional thoughts generally ex- press negative perceptions of oneself, …
What is Beck’s theory in psychology?
Beck’s cognitive theory of depression proposes that persons susceptible to depression develop inaccurate/unhelpful core beliefs about themselves, others, and the world as a result of their learning histories. Beck also asserts that there are three main dysfunctional belief themes (or schemas) that dominate depressed people’s thinking: 1) I am defective or inadequate, 2) All of my experiences result in defeats or failures, and 3) The future is hopeless. Aaron T. Beck is globally recognized as the father of Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) and one of the world’s leading researchers in psychopathology. Dysfunctional thoughts are the exaggerated and unrealistic evaluations of one’s image or the intentions of others, and are automatic because they appear without conscious thought (Beck, 1976. Cognitive therapy and the emotional disorders. Cognitive distortions are ways of thinking which are general in nature but which distort the reality in a negative manner. Their patterns are called Dysfunctional cognitive structure. • Repeated occurence of these distorted thoughts leads to the development of feelings of anxiety and depression.