Definition and How Therapists Use It

Cognitive theory is an approach to psychology that attempts to explain human behavior by understanding your thought processes. For example, a therapist is using principles of cognitive theory when they teach you how to identify maladaptive thought patterns and transform them into constructive ones.

How Cognitive Theory Works

The assumption of cognitive theory is that thoughts are the primary determinants of emotions and behavior. Information processing is a common description of this mental process. Theorists compare the way the human mind functions to a computer.

The trend of the last decades has been to merge cognitive theory and behaviorism into a comprehensive cognitive-behavioral theory (CBT). This allows therapists to use techniques from both schools of thought to help clients achieve their goals.

Uses for Cognitive Theory

Cognitive theory can be used in treatments for a wide variety of mental health conditions, including:

Using Cognitive Theory to Change Biases

Your therapist relies on cognitive theory if they highlight identifying the cognitive biases in your maladaptive thoughts as a part of your treatment plan. For example, two types of cognitive biases addressed in anxiety treatment include:

Attention Bias

Attention bias means that when you are experiencing your anxiety trigger, you pay attention to the negative signals instead of positive ones. For example, if you have a fear of public speaking, you only look at audience members with facial expressions you see as threatening, rather than seeking out the smiling faces.

Interpretation Bias

Interpretation bias, as the name implies, refers to misinterpreting information. At the podium, you might think an audience member with a negative facial expression is a reflection of how they feel about you when they’re really just tired.

Examples of Cognitive Theory

There are also different types of cognitive theories that are often used to explain aspects of human cognition.

Social Cognitive Theory

Social cognitive theory is a subset of cognitive theory. Therapists use it to treat phobias and other psychological disorders. It is primarily focused on the ways in which we learn to model the behavior of others.

Cognitive Learning Theory

This theory focuses on how people actively engage with thinking and problem-solving as they learn new information and acquire skills. This approach assumes that people seek information and learn best when they utilize their thinking abilities to figure things out vs. just learning through memorization and repetition.

Techniques Based on Cognitive Theory

A number of important therapeutic techniques that are used to treat different types of mental health conditions are based on cognitive theory. Some of these include:

Cognitive Restructuring

All three types of phobia fall into a larger group of psychological issues called anxiety disorders, which are the most common type of psychiatric disorder.

The basic approach to cognitive restructuring put forth by leading cognitive theorist Christine A. Padesky, PhD, recommends that your therapist goes through four basic steps with you:

1. Ask questions to identify the “self-talk” going on in your head when you feel anxious, and then facilitate a discussion to test if what you’re thinking is true.
2. Listen to what you say with an empathetic ear and unconditional acceptance.
3. Ask you to summarize the session’s main points to reinforce what you’ve learned and to let them address any misunderstandings.
4. Ask yourself questions that allow you to synthesize and analyze the new and more realistic view of your anxiety so you can restructure your thought patterns.

Cognitive Reframing

While cognitive restructuring is typically done with the guidance of a therapist, cognitive reframing is a similar technique you can use on your own. 

When you are caught up in negative thinking, try shifting the frame or lens through which you see the situation. Ask yourself whether what you are thinking is realistic, and consider other ways that you might view the situation.

Exposure

Exposure involves confronting the source of your fear or anxiety. During treatment, people are slowly exposed to the things they fear. At the same time, they may practice relaxation techniques and coping skills that will help them manage their feelings of fear and anxiety.

Behavioral Experiments

Behavioral experiments are experiences that can help people test whether their negative or unhelpful thoughts are valid. These planned activities allow people to be exposed to an anxiety-provoking situation. This enables people to test the accuracy of their beliefs and the helpfulness of new ways of thinking and coping skills.

Types of Therapy Based on Cognitive Theory

Various therapeutic approaches are rooted in cognitive theory. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is one of the most widely used and empirically validated treatments. Other therapies that utilize aspects of cognitive theory include: