Analysis of the salient features of Beck’s cognitive theory Essay

Becks cognitive theory assumes that most mental problems arise from faulty thinking processes. The theory is centred on three factors that form what can be illustrated as a triad. Beck (1976) noned that the three factors that affect the sympathetic minds capabilities argon thoughts, antecedent types and sort (Figure 1). Figure 1 The foundation of Becks (1976) supposition of the cognitive theory Source Created from the description by Bandura (1976) A point worth noting is that these factors cannot act on their own as they do so in synergy with other factors.For instance, behavior is change by the environment thoughts argon affected by the egotism (individual) and antecedent events are influenced by the current events. Becks cognitive theory perceives antecedent events, thoughts and behavior to be dynamic. In addition, according to (1998), each of the three constituents of the triad is capable of affecting others. However, Beck (1976) notes that in evaluating the triad, cognit ion or thoughts require more emphasis.This is because it is through thoughts that valet de chambre beings are able to change their beliefs, attitudes, interpretation and perceptions in several(predicate) instances. Moreover, thoughts or cognitive factors serve as a platform for filtering or appraising events. In billet with this, if the human mind is bended towards one event at the expense of another, the thinking process would express some form of emotional and behavioral responses that would predicate some problems in life. Therefore, according to this theory, the expressive style human beings think could actually change the way they touch and behave.The cognitive theory serves as a way of understanding and treating opinion imputable to the approach it takes in addressing the various faculties of the mind. In addition, since it highlights issues related to mental capabilities, it is confiscate for addressing mental health issues and other instances of disorders that arise due to depression or factors such(prenominal) as essence use. In postulating the theory, Beck was of the opinion that depressed large number lots have humiliated opinion of themselves.Precisely, Beck suggested that depressed people believe that the world, their in store(predicate), and they themselves were the causes of their depression. In addition, Beck (1998) noted that people world power be faced with psychological difficulties due to concomitant of automatic thoughts, proscribe self-importance-assessments and impaired assumptions. Moreover, Beck connoted that automatic thoughts unremarkably pave the way for emotions but occur considerably fast with the affected individuals teensy awareness.As a lead, such individuals do not view themselves with high esteem. As an example, people affected by stress may address themselves in considerably high critical tones they also institutionalize themselves for every mishap that befalls them. Becks theory and depression Beck (19 87) noted that depressed people, apart from having a low opinion of themselves, also develop schemas in their minds such as if many people hate me therefore I am worthless. Nevertheless, such beliefs are commonly primitive, overstated and rigid.It is worthy noting that the self schemas developed in the minds pf distressed people are usually changeless but latent and only discernible when they are stimulated by social stressors (for instance when a mortal provokes the distressed individual) (Beck, 1987). Once the distressed somebody is provoked, the depressive diagram in the mind of the individual becomes pioneer by the stress of the event (provocation) and results into a two-fold outgrowth (Beck, 1976). The first effect is that the content of the distressed individual becomes negative.This is characterized by a cognitive triad and the person develops negative beliefs about himself or herself, the world and the future (i. e. every aspect of the cognitive triad becomes negati ve). In the second phase, there is a systematic bias in the mind that characterized by distortion of knowledge touch on capability and being prone to committing errors. Although not all forms of depression are caused by stimulant of the self-schemas, Beck viewed the negative cognitive triad and negative processing of information as the intrinsic features of all depressions (Beck, 1987).The result of the negative schema is fear for all activities by the individual. This is in spite of the fact that some activities could be easily accomplished. For instance, a negative evaluation of self worth may be I am unworthy, I just cant do this and a negative evaluation of the world or daily events may be Everything that happens to me is just sufficiency evidence that my world is crumbling, this world does not take on me. On the other hand, a distressed persons evaluation of the future may be It seems that nothing will ever get break for me even in future. From the above illustration, Bec ks cognitive Model of Depression clearly shows how early experiences in life can lead to the development of dysfunctional beliefs, which in turn cause individuals to have negative self-views, which in turn result into depression (Beck, 1987).