Pearson Edexcel · GCSE · Psychology
Course version: 1PS0 · Version from Sept 2017
The use of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) as a treatment, including…
Full specification wording
Psychological problems: 3.1.7 the use of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) as a treatment, including strengths and weaknesses of each therapy a. depression b. addiction
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) aims to change irrational thoughts and maladaptive behaviours.
Checked against the Pearson Edexcel 1PS0 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 4 of 5
- 4 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) aims to change irrational thoughts and maladaptive behaviours. For depression, CBT helps patients identify negative thought patterns and challenge them, replacing them with rational beliefs. For addiction, CBT focuses on identifying triggers that lead to addictive behaviours, teaching coping strategies to avoid relapse. A key strength of CBT is its long-term effectiveness; it equips patients with lifelong skills to manage their condition. However, a major weakness is that it requires significant motivation, which can be difficult for those with severe depression or addiction. Furthermore, CBT does not address potential biological causes of these conditions, such as neurotransmitter imbalances.
What earns the marks
- Identifies that CBT for depression involves challenging irrational thoughts and replacing them with rational ones.
- Recognises that CBT for addiction involves identifying triggers and learning coping skills to prevent relapse.
- Evaluates CBT by stating a strength, such as providing long-term skills that empower the patient.
- Evaluates CBT by stating a weakness, such as the high level of patient motivation and commitment required.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Confusing CBT with psychoanalysis.
Put it right: CBT focuses on current conscious thoughts and behaviours, not unconscious childhood conflicts.
Stating that CBT is a quick fix.
Put it right: CBT requires time, effort, and multiple sessions to be effective.
Assuming CBT works for everyone.
Put it right: CBT requires high motivation, which severely depressed or addicted patients may lack.
Exam tips
- When evaluating CBT, always link the strength or weakness specifically to either depression or addiction.
- Use the term 'irrational thoughts' when describing how CBT treats depression.
- Mention 'functional analysis' or 'skills training' when explaining CBT for addiction.
Try the lesson
The start of the Psychological problems: 3.1.7 the use of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) as a treatment, including strengths and weaknesses of each therapy a. depression b. addiction lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
Which of the following best describes a key component of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) when used to treat depression?
Listen
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) aims to change irrational thoughts and maladaptive behaviours. For depression, CBT helps patients identify negative thought patterns and challenge them, replacing them with rational beliefs. For addiction, CBT focuses on identifying triggers that lead to addictive behaviours, teaching coping strategies to avoid relapse. A key strength of CBT is its long-term effectiveness; it equips patients with lifelong skills to manage their condition. However, a major weakness is that it requires significant motivation, which can be difficult for those with severe depression or addiction. Furthermore, CBT does not address potential biological causes of these conditions, such as neurotransmitter imbalances. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Identifies that CBT for depression involves challenging irrational thoughts and replacing them with rational ones. Recognises that CBT for addiction involves identifying triggers and learning coping skills to prevent relapse. Evaluates CBT by stating a strength, such as providing long-term skills that empower the patient. Evaluates CBT by stating a weakness, such as the high level of patient motivation and commitment required. A common slip: Confusing CBT with psychoanalysis. Instead, CBT focuses on current conscious thoughts and behaviours, not unconscious childhood conflicts. Exam tip: When evaluating CBT, always link the strength or weakness specifically to either depression or addiction.
Key words
Say what each word means before you turn the card.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Irrational thoughts
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Triggers
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Coping strategies
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
See every definition
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
- A treatment that aims to change irrational thoughts and maladaptive behaviours.
- Irrational thoughts
- Negative thought patterns that CBT for depression helps patients identify and challenge, replacing them with rational beliefs.
- Triggers
- The factors that lead to addictive behaviours, which CBT for addiction focuses on identifying.
- Coping strategies
- Skills taught to patients to avoid relapse in addiction.
There is more to this lesson
The full lesson goes on to check your understanding and help you earn the marks. Create a free account to carry on, with your progress saved.
A week of Premium from your first lesson · Then the free plan continues · No card, no charge
Test your understanding of Psychological problems: 3.1.7 the use of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) as a treatment, including strengths and weaknesses of each therapy a. depression b. addiction
Active recall beats re-reading. Take an instant quiz now to test what you’ve learned and lock it into long-term memory.
A week of Premium from your first lesson · Then the free plan continues · No card, no charge