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
individuals within systems…
How does the environment affect the individual &
how does the individual interact with the
environment?
Some definitions of “the self”
 The organizer & synthesizer of mental activity,
including internal & external experiences
 A cognitive structure that thinks & defines
conscious activity
 A constant, but changing cognitive entity that is
“constructed” by relationships, life events, &
internal self-talk or self-reflection
 A constant &unchanging entity that is separate
from the physical body, e.g., the “soul”
“Inside Out & Outside In”
 Psychodynamic & cognitive theories are useful for
understanding individual human development &
behavior
 Both theories explain how the external
environment affects the individual & how the
individual relates to the environment
 Both theories help us understand human
emotions, thoughts, relationships, adaptation, &
the meanings people give to explain life events
Some common beliefs shared by psychodynamic &
cognitive theories…
 Psychosocial development occurs through the
interaction of external & internal processes
 The meanings or interpretations we give to life
events are shaped by relationships with others &
interactions with our wider environment,
including our culture
 Social interactions & the meanings we develop
shape our personality & our sense of “self”
There are differences between Cognitive &
Psychodynamic Theories regarding the Importance
of Cognition & Emotion.
“PSYCHODYNAMIC” theory
 A set of theories that describe the inner energies
that motivate, dominate, & shape people’s
behavior
 Originally based on the clinical observations &
hypotheses of Sigmund Freud, founder of
“psychoanalysis”
 Now includes drive theory, ego psychology, object
relations theory, self-psychology, & relational
theory
Some of the major ideas of psychodynamic theory
 Human functioning & personality development
are shaped by the dynamic interaction of…
 Internal forces & external forces
 Past experiences & present reality
Memories are stored in both “conscious” &
“unconscious” parts of the mind, & these
memories influence behavior
 Secure & loving early childhood experiences
have a positive effect on development
 Significant past relationships are taken-in
(“internalized”) & influence our present-day
relating
 “Defense mechanisms” protect the self from
anxiety & uncontrollable impulses
Symptoms of dysfunction develop due to…
 Unresolved internal conflicts
 Developmental deficits
Changes in human functioning occur through…
 Provision of sensitive, attuned
relationships, such as a professional
relationship with a social worker
 Attention to the client’s emotions & life
experiences
“COGNITIVE” theory
 A set of theories built on the idea that
conscious thoughts (rather than unresolved
conflicts & deficits) serve as the basis for
behaviors & emotions
 Originally based on the views of Bandura who
said that psychological functioning comes
from a reciprocal interaction of personal &
environmental determinants
Some of the major ideas of
cognitive theory
 Most human behavior is learned through
personal interpretations & expectations of life
experiences throughout the life span
 We learn through a combination of internal &
external processes…
Cognitive processes
Behavioral modification
Personal analysis or judgment, known as
“interpretation”
Knowledge is developed through physically &
mentally acting on objects, images, &
symbols
 Behavior is learned when individuals respond to
the environment through stimuli, reinforcement,
& imitation
 Language (self-speech) & reasoning have an
effect on individual development
 Symptoms of dysfunction develop due to…
Faulty thinking & harmful interpretations
 Changes in human functioning occur through…
 Reframing thinking
 Giving attention to cognitive processes &
interpretations
Different theoretical views about
cognition & emotion
EMOTION IS PRIMARY
Stimulus Emotion Interpretation
Primary view of PSYCHODYNAMIC theory
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