Applying the assumptions

• Computer Analogy


  • CBT aims to treat behavioural or emotion disorders based on the model provided by the computer analogy

  • People think that this is the situations they face in life ‘input’ that causes their anger or depression ‘output’

  • The cognitive approach believes that the faulty output is due to irrational or faulty ‘processing’
• Internal mental processes


  • CBT aims to challenge the dysfunctional internal mental processes and help restructure them into more realistic and positive ones

  • For example, the client keeps a dysfunctional thought diary so that they and their therapist gain an insight into their faulty mental processess

  • The therapist gets the client to challenge their current processes and rebuild alternative ways of processing the ‘input’
• Schemas


  • Schemas are applied to this therapy

  • Beck stated that people with depression often have a negative cognitive triad - a set of irrationally negative schemas about themselves, the world and the future

  • Through cognitive restructuring these are challenged and rebuilt to be positive

  • As well the ‘pleasant activity scheduling’ aspect of CBT helps the client see the world can be a source of enjoyment, a further help to building more positive schemas