Behavioral Cognitive Therapy and Unhealthy Behaviors - Essay Example

Darwin posited in his evolution theory that through a process of natural selection, well adapted members of a specie struggle to survive in order to avoid extinction of the specie. Man is no different; whereby, over the years, the human race has had to adapt to the changing environment of risk extinction. Through a process of trial and error, the early humans discovered fire, agriculture and permanent shelter as crucial to their survival. Their innate life instinct predisposed them to engage in behaviors aimed at avoiding threatening situations. To this date, these adaptive traits are still useful and function to motivate individuals. For example, physiological needs are at the bottom of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs pyramid; whereby, they must be fulfilled before advancing to the needs higher up in the pyramid. In contemporary society, humans have no choice but to adapt to the social, political and economic environments that is changing continually. 2. Consuming information relating to psychology requires one to exercise diligence in order to avoid exposing oneself to falsified information that might result negative effects. Therefore, one must take a step further and carry out extra research to accredit the publicized information. For example, the topic on relationships continues to be a trending topic in the media; whereby, different psychological perspectives have been used to explain behaviors of different gender based on assumptions that are fallacious and misleading to individuals. 3. The concept of brain lateralization refers to the exclusivity of functions in the left and right hemispheres of the cerebral cortex; meaning, each hemisphere handles specific functions. Therefore, in the event that I choose to enlarge or shrink any of the hemispheres I will experience impairment of functions. However, hypothetically speaking, I find myself inclined to choose the left hemisphere as the side to enlarge if I had to choose. This is because it controls different aspects of language, motor, and visual functioning of the right side of the brain; meaning, I would be able to communicate, and execute tasks like writing with my right hand. However, in a situation where I had to choose, which hemisphere to shrink, I would still go for the right hemisphere because of the reasons listed above. 4. Perception results from the integration of all the senses. The interplay of the five senses contributes to a person’s perception of a situation. A favorite dish constitutes a tantalizing scent, visually pleasing plating or presentation and mouth watering taste. Dissociating these sensory elements impede one’s overall perception of food. For example, my favorite beef stew would cease to be appetizing if served in a dog food bowl because I visually associate the bowl with dog food, which is the least bit appetizing. 5. Tea, coffee, snacks such as candy bars, cookies, some medications such as Vivarin soda and energy drinks. In my case, I watch my caffeine intake; however, I am unable to forego my hot tea with creamer as my preferred beverage. This is in spite of my knowledge about the cardiovascular, gastrointestinal and mental negative effects of caffeine. 6. Albert Bandura, the psychologist and theorist behind observational learning theory advanced four conditions that are necessary for observation learning to occur. These include; attention, retention, reproduction motivation. In my case, I would like to become a nurse working with those afflicted by diseases such as Tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS. Therefore, I will need to pay close attention and internalize the conduct and action of other nurses that serve within the organization handling patients suffering from the mentioned diseases. I will then need to retain or remember all learnt concepts in order to reproduce it in future. My passion for the nursing profession and the need to help patients in South Africa suffering from HIV/AIDS and Tuberculosis will serve as my intrinsic and extrinsic motivators; hence ensure the occurrence of observational learning. 7. Eye witnesses either downplay or exaggerate their accounts of situations rendering their information unreliable. Exaggerating or downplaying of information results from differences in perception of situations. Moreover, cognitive biases also come into play affecting the authenticity of eye witness information; for example, desirability effect causes individuals to relay information that they perceive as favorable to the audience. 8. Many people define intelligence from an intellectual point of view; whereby, factors such as academic excellence, prowess in higher mental functions such as problem solving skills and reasoning influence people’s definition of the term. These definitions focus on cognitive abilities showing limited regard for aspects such as creativity (art and dance) as part of intelligence. According to theorists such as Wechsler, intelligence is universal and goes beyond having a high IQ; instead, it encompasses one’s ability to adapt to the changing environment, act purposively towards goal achievement, and to think rationally. 9. Statements aimed at making people feel younger than their actual age aim to change people’s mindset by encouraging them to live their lives like younger people. These statements continue to be used as a marketing strategy; whereby, consumers are enticed to try out new merchandise that is suitable to a younger generation despite their old age. In my opinion, this might have negative effects on adult development because individuals shun age appropriate behaviors. Moreover, it leads to fixation and regression, both of which psychologist Freud identified as defense mechanisms formed by the ego. These defense mechanisms function to impede proper development. 10. Lie to Me is a popular television show that depicts the use of micro-expressions to detect a person’s feelings. Knowledge of a person’s feelings helps one to detect whether they are truthful or deceitful. 11. Websites either view deviance in sexuality as either favorable or unfavorable. Those that view it as favorable encourage individuals to embrace their sexuality in spite of societal and cultural expectation; for example, they advocate for people who are lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgender (LGBT) to openly live their lives as normal functioning adults. These sites also offer advice on sex, hormonal and cosmetic treatments that would help these individuals express their sexuality freely and avoid feeling trapped in their own body. Conversely, websites against deviance in sexuality encourage LGBT to seek therapeutic intervention to help them shed this deviant behavior. 12. Psychologists such as Freud and Erickson agree that past experiences in childhood influence the formation of adult personality. In my case, growing up was a series of tumultuous events; whereby, it first began with my parents’ divorce, which was then followed by being bounced around from one foster family to the next while leaving in a deplorable financial state. In spite of the hardships, I now understand the true meaning of family and my determination to give back to the community by working as a nurse in South Africa where many suffer from HIV/AIDS and Tuberculosis is at its peak. My past, childhood experiences served to make me a resilient adult. 13. In the absence or presence of a high self-esteem or a desirable self-concept, many individuals still wish that they could change something small or big about their physical appearance. Such ideologies continue to be cultivated by the media, society and peers. This should not be the case, because every person should be allowed to feel attractive in their own face. In my opinion, meshing up photos together digitally does not yield a more attractive person. 14. Wow! I am at a loss for words. The artwork is spectacular. I now see that mental illness might impede normalcy in most areas; however, with support and encouragement those afflicted by mental illnesses stand a chance to engage in something productive such as showcasing their creative side through art. 15. Behavioral Cognitive Therapy (BCT) continues to yield successful results since its discovery. It advocates for goal setting aimed at eradicating undesirable behavior and encouraging desirable behaviors in an individual. In a hypothetical situation where I am the therapist dealing with a client who is a shopaholic depleting her savings and incurring debts at an alarming rate, I would use BCT to help them set goals aimed at helping them save money by shopping only when it is necessary. For example, I would advocate the use of a budget in order to restrict her spending. 16. Unhealthy behaviors are expensive to maintain. It is for this reason that I support the increased taxation on unhealthy foods that cause unhealthy habits such as smoking or drinking. Even if taking this action does not guarantee extinction of the unhealthy habits, it does help to minimize people’s intake of unhealthy foods because of their expensive nature. Read More