How could cognitive psychology contribute to treatments such as cognitive behavioral therapy?

• A. By focusing solely on bodily symptoms.
• B. By identifying dysfunctional thought patterns and schemas and modifying them to influence behaviour.
• C. By ignoring thoughts and focusing only on behavior.
• D. By increasing phobic responses.

Answer: (B)

Cognitive psychology shows that our thoughts, beliefs, and interpretations shape how we feel and behave. Cognitive behavioral therapy builds on this by helping people notice automatic thoughts and cognitive distortions, then examine and modify them so they lead to more accurate interpretations and healthier actions. By identifying dysfunctional thought patterns and schemas and changing them, therapy can influence emotions and behaviors, reducing distress and improving functioning. Techniques such as cognitive restructuring, thought records, and testing beliefs through behavioral experiments all focus on altering thinking to bring about change in behavior. In contrast, approaches that focus only on bodily symptoms, ignore thoughts, or aim to increase fear would neglect the cognitive processes CBT targets, and increasing phobic responses would run counter to CBT’s goal of reducing anxiety.