Cognitive Theory

Major cognitive theorist(Theorist name) | Theory associated with the theorist

(Theory title) | Description of the theory, including associated approaches and techniques | Peer-reviewed reference(APA style) |

Albert Ellis | Rational Emotive Theory & Depression | Developed the first intentionally therapeutic approach to cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy, called rational emotive therapy (RET). In 1959, he established the Institute for Rational Living to popularize REBT(Jones-Smith, 2012). In the 80's he revised rational emotive therapy by inserting the word behavior in his theoretical approach (REBT). REBT became closely linked to cognitive theoretical school. Together it sought to change the way people think and reason about the events of their lives. Ellis work was a combination of Greek influence and learning theory. This combination asserted that individuals learn maladaptive behavior and unlearn such behavior by changing their thoughts. In the therapeutic process of REBT, instead of listening to the clients history, the therapist focuses on the clients views and reflection of feelings. There are two techniques used in the therapeutic process. One approach is to record the entire session and then have the client listen to the recordings several times. The second technique is to give the client the REBT Self-Help Form, where they can answer certain questions or summarize the situation about which they are disturbed (Jones-Smith, 2012). | Doyle, K. A. (2011). Albert ellis and rational emotive behavior therapy: A personal reflection. Journal of Rational-Emotive & Cognitive-Behavior Therapy, 29(4), 207-210. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10942-011-0141-5 Retrieved from The University of Phoenix eBook Collection database |

Aaron Beck | Cognitive Theory & Depression | Beck’s theory of depression suggested that depressed individuals adopt a negative schema of the world during childhood and adolescence. “When people with a depressed schemaencounter a...