Abstract
This paper discusses ways of transforming personal appraisals of religious origin through the use of cognitive behavioural therapeutic approaches. In the introduction, an account is presented of the theoretical background of cognitive behavioural therapy together with the main aspects underlining it, such as: how an event can induce irrational thinking in one’s reasoning, how irrational thinking can affect physical and emotional sensations and what follows, in terms of behaviours, after one has been emotionally influenced by irrational thinking. Appraisals of religious origin are presented and discussed in the main part of this chapter, followed by cognitive behavioural explanations which explore how these can be transformed from negative to positive ones. Before completing the main part of the chapter, a new topic is discussed, titled Cognitive Behavioural Psychology of Religion and ways of its contributing to new theoretical and empirical approaches for both psychology and religion. Finally, a summary of the main points of what has been discussed concludes the paper.
Highlights
Cognitive behavioural therapy is regarded as one of the most influential models in psychotherapy today (Brewin, 2006)
Century-old writings, such as Plato’s “Cave” (Broom, 1991)2 and Epictetus’s “Enchiridion” (Long, 2002)3 explain the human condition by discussing how the self is influenced in terms of situations and events (Montgomery, 1993); the way individuals interpret what takes place in their lives as to the irrational thinking and/or beliefs they hold about this; the emotional responses following such beliefs and/or negative appraisals; and what they do in order to come to terms with feelings and physical sensations (Beck, 1970)
Cognitive appraisals of religious origin refer to core beliefs and schemas with regards to how individuals explain the religious phenomenon
Summary
Cognitive behavioural therapy is regarded as one of the most influential models in psychotherapy today (Brewin, 2006). It combines philosophy, cognitive science and behavioural theories (Reisner, 2005). Cognitive behavioural therapy investigates how the mind’s cognitive abilities can aid one’s psychological state suffering from negative automatic thoughts and avoidant behaviours (see DeRubeis, Webb, Tang, & Beck, 2010). Century-old writings, such as Plato’s “Cave” (Broom, 1991) and Epictetus’s “Enchiridion” (Long, 2002) explain the human condition by discussing how the self is influenced in terms of situations and events (Montgomery, 1993); the way individuals interpret what takes place in their lives as to the irrational thinking and/or beliefs they hold about this; the emotional responses following such beliefs and/or negative appraisals; and what they do in order to come to terms with feelings and physical sensations (Beck, 1970). Negative appraisals can be transformed not through their outcomes, which are avoidant behaviours, but through the synthesis of meanings of fruitful content deriving from the positive side of personal experiences (Lyddon, 1991)
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