On Par
Using the cognitive principle, CBT proposes that events per se do not elicit feelings. Rather, it is the
interpretation or meaning assigned to the event that causes the reactive feeling. It is not the out-of-
bounds shot that has elicited the feelings of fear, anger and disappointment. Rather, it is how we have
interpreted the psychological meaning of the shot that has caused the resultant emotions.
Once we develop an awareness of how we assign interpretations to events, we begin to understand that
different cognitions or thinking give rise to different emotions. There is always another perspective to
interpreting events.
The Behavioural Principle – What we do can affect how we think and feel
Behaviour Thought
Chooses a Not good
enough to `attack’
the green
`safe’ club
Feeling
Helpless
Disappointed
Frustrated
In CBT, behaviours can have a strong impact on thoughts and emotions. In this example, a golfer avoids
a direct approach of the green using a `safe’ club. This avoidance reinforces the belief that he does not
have the ability to take a direct approach to the green. Consequently, he feels the resultant emotions.
Research shows that avoidance behaviours tend to reinforce the feelings of fear and negative thoughts.
We learn our behaviours through conditioning; repeated
negative experiences at a particular hole will condition
a golfer to adopt avoidance behaviours. CBT therefore
advocates changing behaviours as an effective way to
changing thoughts and emotions.
Fear of
Hole 11
No change to
fear of Hole 11
Golfer does not learn
coping strategies or
challenge false
beliefs
Escape/Avoidance
“Better play safe”
The Interacting Principle of Thoughts, Feelings and Behaviour
CBT proposes that thoughts, feelings, and behaviours interact
with one another. Dysfunction in one element will impact the other
elements. Just `feeling lousy’ for the day not only impacts your
thinking about how the day will unfold, it will also impact how you
could behave subsequently.
To apply CBT, self-monitoring of your thoughts, feelings and
behaviours during your next game would be a good starting point.
Creating this self-awareness raises insights into your thinking and
behavioural patterns, and to recognise unhelpful thinking and
behavioural patterns. In the next instalment, we will explore the
common thinking errors that contribute to dysfunctional thinking,
feeling and behaving. Watch this space!
Thoughts
Behaviour
Feelings
RESORT VIEW 13