The History of CBT PDF

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THE HISTORY OF CBT

THE HISTORY OF CBT
Back in the late 1950's, some psychologists claimed that Wilhelm Wundt was
the father of experimental psychology who founded the first formal
laboratory for psychological research at the University of Leipzig in 1879.
In reality, what was considered as experimental psychology back then, is very far
removed from today’s definition. It was within the two decades which followed,
that modern psychotherapy was born through the works of Sigmund Freud.
In was in 1911, after Freud’s arrival in the United States, that psychoanalysis swept
the field of psychiatry to the point that within only a few years, over 95% of
American psychiatrists had committed to taking some expression of
psychoanalytical training.
This monopoly on psychotherapy lasted until the late 1970’s in the US and even
into the 1980’s throughout Europe. In reality, the crisis that accompanied
psychoanalysis regarding its capacity to give answers to changing social
demands (after the World War II) and its ability to aid psychological problems
had already begun in the 1950's. This coincided with the development of new
psychotherapeutic models, of which Behavioural Therapy (BT) played an initial
starring role, first pioneered by John B. Watson.
BT spread rapidly throughout Europe and quickly established itself as one of the
primary therapies that was able to provide practical solutions to the
psychologically suffering patient.
Fifty years had passed since John B. Watson’s pioneering work on behaviourism,
and its applications before a working model of BT rose to the forefront of
psychological study. The reason for this was simple: BT was open to change,
integrating and incorporating continuing research not just in psychology but also
in various other scientific fields, giving rise to new expressions of psychoanalysis
and other strategic interventions.
The first generation of BT featured a radical shift from the previously well
established Psychodynamic Therapies and was then followed by a new set of
innovations, which took into consideration previously neglected cognitive
aspects. This merging of Behavioural and Cognitive Therapies is attributed to
have given rise to the second generation of BT which is what many people today
refer to as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT).
THE HISTORY OF CBT
BT can be divided into three separate generations. The first generation is in part a
rebellion against general therapeutic concepts of the day (the Psychoanalytic and
Humanistic approaches). These early interventions focused mainly on altering
problematic behaviours, by using techniques based on existing validated
scientific principles.
The “cognitive revolution” in psychology took place during the 1960s, and by the
1970s many behaviour therapists who had been positively influenced by it began
to call their therapy 'CBT'.
Part of this movement argued that the need for learning research was still crucial,
but the research that should influence second-generation BT was human
learning research that considered cognitive mediators of learning.
The argument was that conditioning in individuals is not direct and automatic, but
rather is mediated by the person’s verbal and non-verbal cognitive abilities.
Awareness, attention, expectancy, attribution and linguistic representation were
constructs thought to be necessary to account for learning.
The advent of cognitivism in the 1960’s introduced a major paradigm shift within
experimental psychology. While the behavioural model had considered cognitive
processes as an epiphenomenon, a new approach appeared that considered
cognitive knowledge as being of central importance in psychological
investigation, while still maintaining a verifiable first-hand view.
This led Cognitive therapy to be born, with its founding fathers (Beck, Shaw, Rush
& Emery) and with it, also came the second generation of behaviour therapy.
The concept of associative learning was abandoned, which left room for some
slightly more flexible principles which acknowledged the role that internal human
experience (thoughts and feelings) played in influencing human behaviour.
"Humans are, first and foremost, thinking beings, capable of organising their
behaviour and modifying it according to circumstances." - Bandura, 1969.
THE HISTORY OF CBT
The study of irrational thoughts (Ellis - 1977) and cognitive schemata of mental
illness (Beck - 1993) has brought to light how different errors of cognition can be
prevalent in different types of patients and, for each of these errors, a variety of
methods and techniques are aimed at changing negative automatic thoughts.
Therefore, it's the integration of the first two generations of BT that gave rise to
the idea of CBT, which is characterised by a type of psychotherapy. This aims to
modify not only human responses but also beliefs, attitudes, cognitive styles and
the expectations of the client.
The successfulness of CBT for a broad range of psychological problems has

been researched more extensively than any other psychotherapeutic approach.
CBT’s reputation as an efficient form of psychological treatment is growing.
'Cognitive' refers to mental processes i.e. thinking. The word ‘cognitive’ relates to
everything that goes on in an individual's mind: thoughts, dreams, images,
memories, and attention. 'Behaviour' refers to everything that an individual does.
This includes what they say, how they try to solve problems, how they act, and
avoidance. 'Behaviour' refers to both action and inaction, for example biting your
tongue instead of speaking your mind is still a behaviour even though they're
trying not to do something. 'Therapy' is a word used to describe a systematic
approach to tackling a problem, illness, or irregular condition.
Several studies conducted through the King's College of London have revealed
that CBT is far more effective than treating those who suffer from anxiety and
depression with only medication. As a result of this research, briefer and more
intense treatment methods have been developed for specific anxiety disorders
such as panic, social anxiety and even post-traumatic stress.
Scientific research of CBT is advancing. As a result, more is being learned about

which aspects of the treatment are most beneficial for different kinds of people
and which therapeutic interventions work best with different types of problems.
CBT is a powerful treatment as it combines scientific, philosophical, and

behavioural aspects into one combined and comprehensive approach to
understanding and overcoming common psychological problems.

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COGNITIVE

THE HISTORY OF CBT

The successfulness of CBT for a broad range of psychological problems has

Scientific research of CBT is advancing. As a result, more is being learned about

CBT is a powerful treatment as it combines scientific, philosophical, and

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