Cognitive explanation of mental illness

• Why was the cognitive approach introduced?

  As a response to dissatisfaction with learning approaches such as behaviourism
• What does the cognitive approach study?

  Internal mental processes such as perception and thoughts
• How does the cognitive approach differ from behaviorism?

  It infers mental processes from experimental tasks rather than focusing solely on observable behavior
• What does the cognitive approach focus on when explaining dysfunctional behavior?

  Specific symptoms rather than the totality of the disorder
• What role do cognitive factors play in certain disorders according to the cognitive approach?

  Cognitive factors play a causal role
• What is a cognitive distortion?

  A faulty thinking process that leads to errors or biases in thinking
• How do cognitive distortions affect individuals?

  They can lead to negative emotional and behavioral outcomes such as anxiety
• What are the two key concepts to know about cognitive explanations for mental illnesses?

  1. Cognitive Distortions
  2. Biased Information Processing
• When do cognitive distortions start to form according to Beck?

  In childhood through the acquisition of certain schemas
• What is required to activate the schemas that lead to emotional disorders?

  A critical life event
• What are the steps in the formation of dysfunctional beliefs according to Beck?

  1. Early experience
  2. Formation of dysfunctional beliefs
  3. Critical life events
  4. Assumptions activated
  5. Biased information processing
  6. Symptoms of psychological disorder (behavioral, motivational, affective, cognitive, somatic)
• How does biased information processing influence responses to situations?

  It leads to inaccurate processing of information, affecting responses
• What are the two types of biased information processing?

  1. Attentional Bias
  2. Negative Appraisal Bias
• What is attentional bias?

  Focusing on specific aspects of a situation while ignoring other useful information
• What is negative appraisal bias?

  Interpreting situations in a negative way and focusing on worst-case scenarios
• How does attentional bias manifest in individuals with specific phobias?

  They focus on threats and dangers, paying more attention to phobic stimuli
• What happens when someone with arachnophobia notices a spider?

  They pay significantly more attention to the spider than anything else happening
• How do individuals with specific phobias appraise harmless situations?

  They perceive them as extremely dangerous and something to fear
• What cognitive distortions contribute to negative appraisals in phobias?

  Maladaptive irrational beliefs and cognitive distortions
• How might someone with arachnophobia overgeneralize danger?

  By thinking there are spiders everywhere after seeing a small spider