CART CBT Cognitive Restructuring 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In the ABC model (Ellis), what does 'B' stand for?
- Behavior
- Belief (Correct answer)
- Boundary
- Baseline
Correct answer: Belief
In Ellis's ABC model, B represents the Belief (rational or irrational) that mediates between the activating event and the emotional consequence.
Question 2: A client with anger issues engages in 'mind reading,' assuming others deliberately disrespect them. The therapist's BEST initial response is to:
- Validate that the others are indeed disrespectful
- Help the client identify alternative explanations for others' behavior (Correct answer)
- Teach breathing techniques and avoid the cognition
- Refer the client for medication evaluation
Correct answer: Help the client identify alternative explanations for others' behavior
Generating alternative explanations directly challenges mind-reading distortions and broadens the client's perspective.
Question 3: Which of the following BEST describes the 'downward arrow' technique?
- A progressive muscle relaxation script
- A method to uncover deeper core beliefs by repeatedly asking 'What would that mean?' (Correct answer)
- A behavioral experiment tracking anger frequency
- A visualization of reducing anger step by step
Correct answer: A method to uncover deeper core beliefs by repeatedly asking 'What would that mean?'
The downward arrow technique repeatedly probes the meaning of a thought to reveal the underlying core belief driving the distress.
Question 4: A CART therapist teaches a client that anger is triggered not by events but by interpretations. This reflects which CBT principle?
- Classical conditioning
- Cognitive mediation (Correct answer)
- Operant reinforcement
- Exposure hierarchy
Correct answer: Cognitive mediation
Cognitive mediation is the CBT principle that thoughts (interpretations), not events themselves, determine emotional responses.
Question 5: When a client says 'She cut me off in traffic just to make me angry,' the therapist targets this thought because it is an example of:
- Labeling
- Personalization (Correct answer)
- Selective abstraction
- Dichotomous thinking
Correct answer: Personalization
Personalization is attributing others' unrelated actions to oneself as the intended target, which amplifies anger.
Question 6: What role do behavioral experiments play in cognitive restructuring for anger?
- They replace all verbal discussion with action tasks
- They test the validity of anger-related beliefs through real-world evidence (Correct answer)
- They are used exclusively for phobia treatment, not anger
- They involve the therapist acting out scenarios for the client
Correct answer: They test the validity of anger-related beliefs through real-world evidence
Behavioral experiments provide concrete evidence that can confirm or disconfirm anger-provoking beliefs, making cognitive change more robust.
Question 7: Which automatic thought is MOST associated with intense anger in CBT literature?
- 'I am worthless and deserve punishment.'
- 'Something terrible might happen.'
- 'This is unfair and I can't stand it.' (Correct answer)
- 'Nobody likes me and I am alone.'
Correct answer: 'This is unfair and I can't stand it.'
Anger-specific automatic thoughts typically involve themes of injustice, intolerance ('I can't stand it'), and entitlement.
CART CBT Cognitive Restructuring 3
In the ABC model (Ellis), what does 'B' stand for?