The process of identifying and understanding the impact of negative behavior and thoughts, and learning to replace them with more realistic actions and beliefs.

The process of identifying and understanding the impact of negative behavior and thoughts, and learning to replace them with more realistic actions and beliefs.

• A. Cognitive restructuring
• B. Contingency contracting
• C. Counter-conditioning
• D. Behavioral rehearsal

Answer: (A)

Cognitive restructuring focuses on identifying negative thoughts, understanding how they shape feelings and actions, and replacing them with more realistic beliefs. It begins with noticing automatic thoughts and examining the evidence for and against them, often spotting distortions like all-or-nothing thinking. By challenging the accuracy of these thoughts and reframing them, you shift how you feel and respond in situations. For example, after a setback you might move from thinking, “I’m a failure,” to a balanced view like, “This was a slip, I can learn from it and improve.” This cognitive shift is what reduces distress and leads to more effective behavior. Other approaches center on changing behavior directly—through agreements with rewards or punishments, pairing one response with another, or practicing new behaviors—rather than changing underlying beliefs.

Cognitive restructuring focuses on identifying negative thoughts, understanding how they shape feelings and actions, and replacing them with more realistic beliefs. It begins with noticing automatic thoughts and examining the evidence for and against them, often spotting distortions like all-or-nothing thinking. By challenging the accuracy of these thoughts and reframing them, you shift how you feel and respond in situations. For example, after a setback you might move from thinking, “I’m a failure,” to a balanced view like, “This was a slip, I can learn from it and improve.” This cognitive shift is what reduces distress and leads to more effective behavior.

Other approaches center on changing behavior directly—through agreements with rewards or punishments, pairing one response with another, or practicing new behaviors—rather than changing underlying beliefs.