The cognitive–behavior model explains abnormal behavior by focusing on the relationship between cognition and behavior. It studies how cognition affects behavior and how behavior affects cognition.

BEHAVIORAL DIMENSION

This part of the cognitive–behavioral model explains that abnormal behaviors are learned, just like normal behavior. People may learn harmful behaviors through different types of conditioning.

1. Classical Conditioning

Classical conditioning is one form of conditioning where learning occurred by association. It explains how a previously neutral stimulus can come to trigger an emotional response after being paired with a meaningful stimulus. For example, if a child gets a painful injection from a doctor wearing a white coat, the child may start fearing white coats. Many phobias develop in this way of association. This process was first demonstrated by Ivan Pavlov in his experiments with dogs, where a neutral stimulus (a bell) became associated with food and eventually produced salivation. In humans, similar associative learning explains the development of specific phobias, such as fear of hospitals, injections, or medical settings.

Research findings show that classical conditioning plays a major role in the development of fear-based disorders, including phobias and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Traumatic events can condition fear responses to places, sounds, or objects that were present during the trauma, even if those stimuli are not dangerous themselves.

2. Modeling

Modeling is another form of conditioning where learning is done through observing others. Individuals acquire behaviors, emotional responses, or fears by watching how others react in certain situations. For example, if a child sees a parent afraid of dogs, the child may also develop a fear of dogs. This concept was strongly supported by Albert Bandura’s Social Learning Theory, particularly through the famous Bobo doll experiment, which demonstrated that children imitate aggressive behavior observed in adults. Modeling explains how fears, coping styles, and even abnormal behaviors can be learned without direct personal experience.

Research suggests that modeling plays a significant role in the development of social anxiety, phobias, and avoidant behaviors, especially during childhood. Children are more likely to model behaviors shown by parents or authority figures, which explains the intergenerational transmission of anxiety and fear responses.

3. Operant Conditioning

Operant conditioning explains learning through reward and punishment, where behaviors are shaped by their consequences. For example, a child may become aggressive if their behavior is rewarded, such as receiving attention or getting what they want after showing aggression. This theory was developed by B. F. Skinner, who emphasized the role of reinforcement in maintaining behavior. Positive reinforcement increases the likelihood of a behavior, while punishment or lack of reinforcement can reduce it.

Research findings show that operant conditioning is especially relevant in understanding conduct problems, addictive behaviors, and behavioral disorders. For instance, substance use may be maintained because it provides immediate rewards such as pleasure or stress relief, even though it has long-term negative consequences.

TREATMENT (BEHAVIORAL)

In treatment, behavior-focused therapists aim to replace person’s harmful behavior with more healthy ones by applying the principles of classical conditioning (reassociating stimuli), operant conditioning (rewarding positive stimuli), and modeling (demonstrating desired behavior).

For example, treating extremely aggressive child help children parents teach parents to reward good behavior with attention or privileges and stopping bad behavior by ignoring it or taking away privileges.

 

COGNITIVE DIMENSION

This part of cognitive behavioral model focused on the cognitive abilities (special intellectual ability or capacity to think, remember and anticipate). People may develop abnormal functioning because of disturbed thoughts or false beliefs. They might have maladaptive assumptions or wrong attitude.

TREATMENT (COGNITIVE)

In treatment, cognitive focused therapists use different strategies to help people with psychological disorders by identifying and changing negative thought and beliefs. Aron Beck’s approach guide depressed patients to challenge harmful beliefs and adopt healthier ways of thinking.

 

COGNITIVE–BEHAVIOR INTERPLAY

Most modern therapies combine both behavioral and cognitive methods. For example, in social anxiety disorder, people often hold unrealistic beliefs like “I will embarrass myself if I speak in public.” Here, behavioral methods (like exposure therapy) help patients face feared social situations, and cognitive methods (like cognitive restructuring) teach patients to challenge and replace challenging thoughts.

 

NEW DEVELOPMENTS IN COGNITIVE–BEHAVIOR THERAPIES

There are some challenges with traditional approaches. Clients often struggle to fully eliminate negative thoughts and biased interpretations. So, today new waves of cognitive–behavior therapies are used such as ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) with mindfulness-based techniques.

 

ADVANTAGES OF COGNITIVE–BEHAVIORAL MODEL

  • The cognitive–behavioral model can be tested in laboratory, whereas psychodynamic theories generally cannot.
  • It has strong research evidence.
  • Cognitive–behavior therapies have proved very helpful for various psychological disorders such as anxiety disorders, depression, sexual dysfunction, and other problems.

DISADVANTAGES OF COGNITIVE–BEHAVIORAL MODEL

  • Cause or Result: It is not always clear that problematic thoughts and behaviors are cause or result of psychological dysfunctions.
  • Does Not Help Everyone: It is not effective for all people with psychological problems.
  • Less Focus on Past Experience: It mainly focuses on current thoughts and behaviors and may ignore past experiences, such as childhood experiences and past relationships.
  • Narrow View: It focuses on only behavior and thinking, but does not explore the deeper issues like personal values, purpose of life, or meaning of life.