Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Schizophrenics, Essay Example

Abstract                                                                                                                                                                     

Is the newly found concept cognitive behaviour therapy an ‘oxymoron’? “In studies conducted wit 60% schizophrenic diagnosed patients the diagnosistic heterogeneity leads to bias and the outcome variables are misleading because the aim of treating the symptoms with cognitive behaviour therapy is to relieve the distress of the symptoms but, by denying prognostic implications of the diagnostics implies the validity of the therapy is an oxymoron.” (Marlowe, 2006).  Further research shows that there has been no significant change in the psychosis on a long-term basis regardless of the treatment modality even with the poorest methodology used. Despite this research cognitive behaviour therapy remains to be one of the top therapies used in the world of psychology throughout the United States and the United Kingdom. Throughout this paper I will discuss cognitive behavioural therapy and other means of behaviour therapy as recommended by the boards of psychiatry and psychologists in the United States and across the United Kingdom.

The Historical Context and Major Contributors to the Psychology

“Pliny the Elder in first century Rome was the first to cure alcohol by putting spiders in the drinks of alcohol abusers.” This is known today as aversive conditioning. (Maultsby, Jr. & Wirga, 1998).  William Wundt is known for developing structuralist psychology in Germany. Edward R. Titchener brought the concept to the United States. Stimulus habituation was presented by Ivan P. Pavlov with the infamous respondent conditioning through the use of a dog where the dog was known to respond to unusual stimuli with a started response. This experiment is spoken about in many psychologist academic books. John B. Watson continued research based on Pavlov’s Conditioning Theory. Burrhus F. Skinner continued the research of radical behaviouralism which “reflected a belief in cause/effect relationships between mental entities or behaviours and learned behaviour.” (Maultsby, Jr. & Wirga, 1998). The general classification of psychotherapy was introduced in the 1950’s by Albert Ellis. Ellis did not appreciate the results of Psychoanalysis, thus introduced a new method for psychotherapy. “A student of Ellis, Maxie C. Maultsby, Jr. developed Rational Behaviour Therapy in the 1960’s based on the approach of Ellis.”(“History of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy”).

Key Concepts and Theories of Behaviour Therapy

Further concept and theories of questioning probing whether the issues can be solved through ‘question and test’ method are used throughout behaviour therapy and cognitive behaviour therapy.  This is to ensure that the rational of the issue is really valid or just a thought in the person’s mind. This is a process called Rational Thinking through the Inductive Method.

Eysenck’s definition of behaviour therapy is the “attempt to alter human behaviour and emotions according to the laws of modern learning theory”. (Maultsby, Jr. & Wirga, 1998).  This is the most accepted theory by the modern health professionals. (Maultsby, Jr. & Wirga, 1998). This theory is based on overt behaviour observed by other people and covert behaviour observed by the self such as thoughts, feelings, interpretations of feelings, etc. Cognitive emotional dissonance is actually taking notice of the uncomfortable feelings associated with behaving in a correct manner that is different from the way they are accustomed to behaving. The process of learning a new behaviour is where an innate stimulus becomes a new behavioural response to a neutral stimulus. Behavioural learning can Classical or Operant wherein there is learned behaviour for a new subject. Issues of Discrimination play a factor in whether a subject will react to one or more stimuli. Drive plays a role in the motivating factor that impels a person to behave in a certain manner. Positive reinforcements for a behaviour immediately pre-ceding an acceptable behaviour certainly help to reinforce the chance of a negative behaviour from reoccurring. Negative reinforcement removes the stimulus and is referred to as an aversive stimulus and is non-conducive to the patient’s positive recovery.

An Evaluation of Behaviour Therapy from Religious Perspectives

Cognitive behaviour therapy has emphasis on the Catholicism religion and spirituality. Understanding the oppression which goes way back the Biblical time of the Jews does not necessarily make it correct behaviour. Dysfunction originates from childhood and is the product of a dysfunctional family life. Cognitive therapy goes to the patient’s belief system and if this is altered the therapy aims to change them.

Conclusion

Behaviour therapy in general as well as cognitive behaviour therapy and its many forms all aim to go to the root of the issue and change the person thoughts so that a person’s feelings and behaviours will change to be more conducive with society’s goal. Many academias have proven different methods of therapy and others have built on these theories. As with any psychological counselling therapy, getting the patient to focus on the issue and feel the pain related to the issue is the first step to healing the pain. Further making the patient realize that a feeling is simply a feeling that one does not have to react to is another good tool. Feelings do pass if they are given the chance to subside. Each person is different and different approaches must be taken to access and motivate a person to healing their issues.

References

Marlowe, K. (2006) Over-Optimism of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for Schizophrenics Retrieved October 9, 2009 from, http://ajp.psychiatryonline.org/cgi/content/full/163/7/1294

Maultsby, Jr. M. and Wirga, M. (1998) Behaviour Therapy Retrieved October 10, 2009 from, http://www.arcobem.com/publications/Beh-Tx.htm

History of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (2009) Retrieved October 10, 2009 from, http://www.nacbt.org/historyofcbt.htm

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (2007) Retrieved October 10, 2009 from, http://www.nacbt.org/whatiscbt.htm