Human Behaviour - Cognitive Approach - Advantages and disadvantages table in A Level and IB Health & Social Care

Created by: Tricia Manktelow
Created on: 13-05-13 15:52


	Human Behaviour - Cognitive Approach
	Advantages It is a structured approach - useful when your thoughts are all out of 'sync' It sets clear goals to be achieved Outcomes can be measured easily to demonstrate levels of success Non-threatening The basic ideas are easy to understand Provides basic strategies for the clients to help themselves Basic strategies can be applied in a variety of different situations The approach works well in all emotional situations and particularly with stress and anxiety	Disadvantages It provides a “quick fix” which only deals with symptoms and not underlying causes it requires the client to be able to understand their situation and think through the causes It requires the client to be able to recognise the effects of their behaviours It wouldn't be suitable for clients who are unable to express themselves honestly It won't work with people who are not willing to change Many clients may be unwilling or unable to talk about their problems Some clients may not accept that they are doing anything wrong
	Evaluation The cognitive approach is useful with people who feel that they are not in control of their lives - that they are behaving in certain ways because of external influences. This is called an external locus of control. Resulting behaviours may be depresion, inability to form and maintain relationships and addictions Why may this talking therapy be effective with people who feel they are directed by people or events outside of their control? Why may talking about their inappropriate / antisocial behaviour with a 'stranger' be difficult? How may this difficulty in being able to discuss the situation prevent the counsellor from assisting the client? For each of these questions use examples from the case study.

Human Behaviour - Cognitive Approach

Advantages

It is a structured approach - useful when your thoughts are all out of 'sync'
It sets clear goals to be achieved
Outcomes can be measured easily to demonstrate levels of success
Non-threatening
The basic ideas are easy to understand
Provides basic strategies for the clients to help themselves
Basic strategies can be applied in a variety of different situations
The approach works well in all emotional situations and particularly with stress and anxiety

Disadvantages

It provides a “quick fix” which only deals with symptoms and not underlying causes
it requires the client to be able to understand their situation and think through the causes
It requires the client to be able to recognise the effects of their behaviours
It wouldn't be suitable for clients who are unable to express themselves honestly
It won't work with people who are not willing to change
Many clients may be unwilling or unable to talk about their problems
Some clients may not accept that they are doing anything wrong

Evaluation

The cognitive approach is useful with people who feel that they are not in control of their lives - that they are behaving in certain ways because of external influences. This is called an external locus of control.
Resulting behaviours may be depresion, inability to form and maintain relationships and addictions

Why may this talking therapy be effective with people who feel they are directed by people or events outside of their control?
Why may talking about their inappropriate / antisocial behaviour with a 'stranger' be difficult?
How may this difficulty in being able to discuss the situation prevent the counsellor from assisting the client?
For each of these questions use examples from the case study.

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Human Behaviour - Cognitive Approach