Abstract
Cognitive-experiential self-theory (CEST) is a broadly integrative theory of personality. According to CEST, humans operate by two fundamental information-processing systems, a rational system and an experiential system. The two systems operate in parallel and are interactive. Experiential system adapts by learning from experience rather than by logical inference. It operates in a manner that is preconscious, automatic, rapid, effortless, concrete, associative, primarily nonverbal, and minimally demanding of cognitive resources. In contrast, the rational system is an inferential system that operates according to a person’s understanding of the rules of reasoning and of evidence, which are mainly culturally transmitted. Unlike the experiential system, it has a very brief evolutionary history. It operates in a manner that is conscious, analytical, effortful, relatively slow, affect-free, and highly demanding of cognitive resources. Maladaptive thoughts stem from discordance between two systems, failure in need fulfillment, sensitiveness and compulsions. According to CEST, all behaviors are seen as the results of the combined operation of both experiential and rational system and adaptation is the balance between the two systems. Sources of maladjustment are discordance between two systems, failure in need fulfillment, and sensitivities and compulsions (Epstein, 1994). Balance between the two systems provides to develop of constructive thinking, Constructive thinking is degree to which a person’s automatic thinking that facilitates problem solving in everyday life at a minimum cost in stress (Epstein, 1994). Key Words: Constructive thinking, personality, experiential system, rational system
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