Mechanisms Of Change In Cognitive Therapy: The Case Of Automatic Thought Records And Behavioural Experiments
Abstract
The study tested the hypothesis, derived from Teasdale and Barnard's (1993) Interacting Cognitive Subsystems (ICS) model, that two commonly used techniques in cognitive therapy, automatic thought records (ATRs) and behavioural experiments (BEs), would have their primary impact on different cognitive subsystems. Teasdale (1997a, b) has suggested that while ATRs tend to impact on a logic-based propositional information processing system, BEs impact on a more holistic implicational system, which has extensive links with emotion. Quantitative and qualitative data derived from three groups of participants undertaking cognitive therapy training courses, who practised ATRs and BEs on themselves, supported Teasdale's theory. Differences were found in participants' ratings of behaviour and belief change, with BEs being perceived as more powerful and compelling than ATRs, as predicted by the theory. There were also qualitative differences in participants' experiences of the two techniques, suggestive of different modes of processing. The data indicated the particular importance of the therapist's role in BEs. In order to provide a more comprehensive account of ATRs and BEs, it was suggested that Teasdale's theory could profitably be extended to include the role of the therapist in promoting adaptive oscillation between the implicational and propositional modes.
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Cognitive restructuring can facilitate the performance of new and more adaptive behaviors, particularly when accompanied by behavioral experiments.
“Cognitive restructuring can also facilitate the performance of new and more adaptive behaviors, particularly when accompanied by behavioral experiments (Bennett-Levy, 2003);”
From Understanding and Treating Procrastination: A Review of a Common Self-Regulatory Failure (2014) · cites this paper as Bennett-Levy, 2003
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“Since clinical experience and cognitive theory (Teasdale, 1996, 1999) suggest that their mode of action is rather different, comparing participants’ experiences of ATRs and BEs may shed some light on mechanisms of change in cognitive therapy.”
BackgroundSalkovskis, P. M., Clark, D. M., Hackmann, A., Wells, A., & Gelder, M. G. (1999) · Behaviour Research and Therapy · doi:10.1016/s0005-7967(98)00153-3 · Cited by 310 · see citing works
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“” Cognitive restructuring can also facilitate the performance of new and more adaptive behaviors, particularly when accompanied by behavioral experiments (Bennett-Levy, 2003); such as handing in an essay despite fear of failure and exploring the thoughts and emotions that are observed.”
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- Authors
- Bennett-Levy, J.
- Venue
- Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy
- Publisher
- Cambridge University Press (CUP)
- Published
- 2003-07
- Volume
- 31
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 261-277
- ISSN
- 1352-4658 (ISSN-L)
- 1469-1833
- OpenAlex
- W1978950909
- Cited by
- 119
- References
- 4
- Citations by year
- 2026: 3 · 2025: 6 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 3 · 2022: 6 · 2021: 8 · 2020: 8 · 2019: 10 · 2018: 11 · 2017: 3 · 2016: 5 · 2015: 7 · 2014: 9 · 2013: 2 · 2012: 7
- FWCI
- 4.30
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychological Treatments and Assessments
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychotherapy Techniques and Applications
- Keywords
- cognitive therapy, behavioural experiments, emotions, belief revision, behavior change, therapist role, mechanisms of change
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