These distorted thoughts and opinions influence feelings and behaviours, and can play an important role in the development of mental disorders. This approach assumes human behaviour is heavily influenced by ‘schemata' (our perception of the world). ‘Schemata' develop on the basis of early experience. Traumatic and unhappy experiences may lead to negative schemata e.g. ‘I am not loved and will always be alone'. Maladaptive thoughts may lead to depression.

Beck's model of depression:

Involves 3 negative schemata ‘negative triad'

1)Negative view of self (internal vs external)2)Negative view of the world (specific vs global)3)Negative view of future (stable vs unstable)

Ellis's ABC Model:

Activating events produces Beliefs which effect the Consequences. Rational beliefs are likely to be confirmed by experience. Negative events will lead to negative emotions such as regret and sadness.

Implications of the cognitive Model for treatment:

Treatment entails altering the faulty thinking by replacing the patients irrational thoughts and beliefs with ones that are rational and undistorted:

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) - identify particular negative thoughts and feelings and raise the clients awareness of the automatic negative thoughts. ‘Reality Testing' is when irrational thoughts are tested by drawing attention to examples which contradict the assumptions.

Rational Emotive Behavioural Therapy - Therapist and client work together to identify situations and the negative reactions these situations produce. Help is given to rationalise the situation by challenging the clients self-defeating beliefs.