REPORTER:RUBTY THEA T.

SISON
TOPIC: CONTEMPORARY PSYCHODYNAMIC & COGNITIVE THEORIES
SUBJECT: CLINICAL PRACTICE 1
DATE/TIME: AUGUST 13, 2016/4:00-7:00 PM
Contemporary Psychodynamic & Cognitive Theories
Human Behavior Theories for Micro & Mezzo Social Work

These theories address questions about the  Secure & loving early childhood experiences
individuals within systems… have a positive effect on development
How does the environment affect the individual &  Significant past relationships are taken-in
how does the individual interact with the (“internalized”) & influence our present-day
environment? relating
 “Defense mechanisms” protect the self from
Some definitions of “the self” anxiety & uncontrollable impulses
 The organizer & synthesizer of mental activity,
including internal & external experiences Symptoms of dysfunction develop due to…
 A cognitive structure that thinks & defines  Unresolved internal conflicts
conscious activity  Developmental deficits
 A constant, but changing cognitive entity that is
“constructed” by relationships, life events, & Changes in human functioning occur through…
internal self-talk or self-reflection  Provision of sensitive, attuned
 A constant &unchanging entity that is separate relationships, such as a professional
from the physical body, e.g., the “soul” relationship with a social worker
 Attention to the client’s emotions & life
“Inside Out & Outside In” experiences
 Psychodynamic & cognitive theories are useful for
understanding individual human development & “COGNITIVE” theory
behavior  A set of theories built on the idea that
 Both theories explain how the external conscious thoughts (rather than unresolved
environment affects the individual & how the conflicts & deficits) serve as the basis for
individual relates to the environment behaviors & emotions
 Both theories help us understand human  Originally based on the views of Bandura who
emotions, thoughts, relationships, adaptation, & said that psychological functioning comes
the meanings people give to explain life events from a reciprocal interaction of personal &
environmental determinants
Some common beliefs shared by psychodynamic &
cognitive theories… Some of the major ideas of
 Psychosocial development occurs through the cognitive theory
interaction of external & internal processes
 The meanings or interpretations we give to life  Most human behavior is learned through
events are shaped by relationships with others & personal interpretations & expectations of life
interactions with our wider environment, experiences throughout the life span
including our culture  We learn through a combination of internal &
 Social interactions & the meanings we develop external processes…
shape our personality & our sense of “self” Cognitive processes
Behavioral modification
There are differences between Cognitive & Personal analysis or judgment, known as
Psychodynamic Theories regarding the Importance “interpretation”
of Cognition & Emotion. Knowledge is developed through physically &
mentally acting on objects, images, &
“PSYCHODYNAMIC” theory symbols
 A set of theories that describe the inner energies  Behavior is learned when individuals respond to
that motivate, dominate, & shape people’s the environment through stimuli, reinforcement,
behavior & imitation
 Originally based on the clinical observations &  Language (self-speech) & reasoning have an
hypotheses of Sigmund Freud, founder of effect on individual development
“psychoanalysis”  Symptoms of dysfunction develop due to…
 Now includes drive theory, ego psychology, object Faulty thinking & harmful interpretations
relations theory, self-psychology, & relational  Changes in human functioning occur through…
theory  Reframing thinking
Some of the major ideas of psychodynamic theory  Giving attention to cognitive processes &
 Human functioning & personality development interpretations
are shaped by the dynamic interaction of… Different theoretical views about
 Internal forces & external forces cognition & emotion
 Past experiences & present reality EMOTION IS PRIMARY
Memories are stored in both “conscious” & Stimulus Emotion Interpretation
“unconscious” parts of the mind, & these Primary view of PSYCHODYNAMIC theory
memories influence behavior
REPORTER:RUBTY THEA T. SISON
TOPIC: CONTEMPORARY PSYCHODYNAMIC & COGNITIVE THEORIES
SUBJECT: CLINICAL PRACTICE 1
DATE/TIME: AUGUST 13, 2016/4:00-7:00 PM
COGNITION IS PRIMARY  Symptoms of crisis & stress may include
Stimulus Interpretation Emotion anxiety, guilt, shame, sadness, envy,
Primary view of COGNITIVE theory disgust, fear

“COGNITION” & “EMOTION” Based on these theories, what is social work’s

COGNITION approach for intervening directly with individuals…
 Conscious & preconscious thinking processes …especially individuals in crisis & under stress?
 Personal beliefs & subjective interpretations
 Erroneous beliefs—contribute to social  Provide a supportive, trusting relationship to
dysfunction calm & comfort the person
EMOTION  Focus on understanding the person’s
 Feeling states based on personal appraisal of emotions & the context of how these
stimuli emotions develop
 Affect—physiological expression of emotion  Focus on understanding the meaning the
 Mood—a more stable feeling disposition person gives to emotions & social interactions
 Support the person’s strengths
Further characteristics of emotions…  Help the person create a coherent &
 Some emotions are “primary emotions” & are organized story or “narrative” about life
“hard-wired” for survival events & social interactions
 Anger, fear, sadness, joy, anticipation
 Other emotions are “secondary emotions” “We are powerfully influenced by the narratives
& are learned through social interaction we create for ourselves about our lives, our
 Envy, jealously, anxiety, guilt, shame, history, the nature of those we interact with, and
relief, hope, depression, pride, love, our own characteristics, motives, & feelings.”
gratitude, compassion
 Emotions are learned interpretations of Yet, we need
experiences & are stored in the brain to help clients develop
“narratives of possibility”
Coping & Adaptation as well as
 Defined as our efforts to manage stress & “narratives of explanation”…
meet new challenges That is, we need to help them
 Biological coping envision a different future
a) demands on nervous system & & how to achieve
hormonal system that future
b) “fight-or-flight” Wachtel, P. (2008). Relational theory and the practice of
Psychological coping psychotherapy. NY: Guilford Press. p. 273.
a) Defense mechanisms
b) Coping styles or capacities
• Problem-focused—change
environment
• Emotion-focused—change internal
self
Coping is influenced by our…
 Capacity to adapt & restore our equilibrium
 Interpersonal relationships
 Current environmental supports & resources
 “social supports”—resources that provide
material, emotional, & instrumental support
 “personal supports”—strengths that
compensate for our deficits
What is a personal “crisis”?
 An upset in psychological equilibrium
triggered by…
 outside harm or threat from the
environment
 internal developmental or biological
changes
 interpersonal challenges, conflicts, or
losses
 “Traumatic stress” is caused by…
 threatened or actual severe injury
 threatened death of self or significant
others