The Influence of Attachment Cognitive
The Influence of Attachment Cognitive
Behavioral Therapy during Counseling
Today, most people owe what they are to their childhood experiences. Some are either living healthy lives due to the security they got from their beloved caregivers or some are undergoing very negative lives due to the insecurity they experienced from their would-be loved ones. On the other hand, there are people who attach their behavior to their beliefs and convictions. They let their minds influence their behavior where this influence can be positive or negative. This study seeks to more deeply examine the concepts of attachment and cognitive behavioral theories. It will also establish that the two theories need to be integrated with another theory referred to as Psychological Engineering which simply means that no person is condemned to have negative growth.
Aim Procedure
There are a number of theories that have been advanced in a bid to explain the human personality, growth and development. The impressive thing is that the theories rely on observations and verifications hence making them more authentic and truthful. Human personality is a very controversial issue that has led many scholars to develop theories with the hope that their theories will solve the mystery of human nature. Among these mysteries is the one that takes into account the historical implications or the connection between the different stages of life and have they influence one another. In this regard, the cognitive behavioral theory and the attachment theory are among the best. In this study, the approach will be personalized and integrative or better still, it will be a synthesis of personal approach within the frame of the two theories. The main points in this approach are as follows relationships in tender stages of growth impact the other stages of development in the person the mental content is part and parcel of the actions a person implements every day. In other words it will support the dictum that man becomes what he knows. The study will also capture certain and practical therapeutic practices to emphasize more on the chosen theories. In general, the views of Bowlby, Ainsworth and Beck will be incorporated accordingly. In the long run, it will be indicated that the defects in these three theories constitute another theory which will be referred to as psychological engineering. Therefore, the theory of psychological engineering will be used to conduct the therapy test.
Philosophy and Basic Assumptions
The theory of Psychological Engineering is based on the fact that a human being is like clay which can be transformed into many shapes. One can use clay to model a pot, a chair, a toy name it. This means that a human person is endowed with a lot of potentialities such that no theory can tie him to a certain point. It is true that many theories in Psychology are based on verifiable facts but they fail to consider that humans have the ability to improve from certain situations. The choice to use attachment theory and cognitive behavioral theory is because both theories touch on the core aspects that can be very useful in pursuance of good personal development. A person of good will cannot help another person in his growth if she does not understand the background of his problems. To this extent, both theories provide a basis for such a background.
In so many instances, persons fail to realize the potential in them. It is exactly from this point that an unhealthy and imbalanced growth begin. Literally, the notion that am not worth or cannot do it or sense of inability and low self-esteem is what constitutes a dysfunctional personality. By the way, one can get the best nurturance and care from the parents and still fail to be mentally and emotionally healthy. One can also very good ideas, very good thoughts but still fail to have good skills execution. The most important thing is that healthy personality depends with the agent.
Psychological Engineering, bases itself on the principles of existentialism which states that only an individual can shape his destiny and values in life, including his health. Self-consciousness and self-determination can help a dysfunctional person grow out of the problem. It is a matter of self-discovery and self-actualization. In general, psychological engineering rests on the fact that no theory can be absolute and that human development is in itself a potentiality. In this regard, it is possible to achieve a good and health personality even if one did not have secure attachment and it is possible for one to have positive thoughts and behavior through education and self-discovery.
Attachment Theory
The major proponents of attachment theory are John Bowlby and Mary Ainsworth (Ainsworth Bowlby, 1991). John Bowlby based his theory on certain concepts such as ethology, information processing, cybernetics, developmental psychology, and psychoanalysts. He brings in a complete revolution in the thinking about a childs bond to the parent and its disruption through disconnection, deprivation, and bereavement. Ainsworth progressed forward on the subject of the theory of Bowlby to empirical experimentation and verification. In fact, she helped expand the theory and even added some more insight to the theory. She formulated the concept of the figure of attachment as a secure base that facilitates the child to explore the world and she is also responsible for the formulation of the notion of maternal sensitivity to infant and its significant role in the development of infant-mother attachments patterns.
Individuals develop certain emotional bonds towards other people in the community. According to John Bowlby (1969) attachment is a lifelong psychological connectedness between human beings. It is believed that the bonds children establish with their loved ones impact tremendously throughout their life. This attachment keeps the infant close to the parent hence enhancing the childs opportunities for survival. It is important that mothers be responsive to the infants need as this will establish a sense of security and belongingness in the child. It is believed that at the tender age of between zero to two years the child is confronted by the crisis of trust and mistrust. In order to gain trust, the child must build confidence and dependability on his parents. Lack of trust cannot enable the child build autonomy and confidence in how he relates with the world.
The growing child should find comfort and solace in those moments when she feels threatened or afraid. The parents or guardians should provide a secure base for the child to explore the world. This prolonged closeness with the parent builds a sense of security in the child. However, the child will undergo enviable amount of separation distress if the connection between her and the parent is terminated. There are deep effects of attachment on behavior. According to some surveys, children between the ages of 12 and 18 months will respond to situations in which they are left alone and in situations in which they are with their caregivers (Ainsworth, Behlers, Waters Walls, 1978).
Attachment can be split into, secure attachment, ambivalent-insecure attachment, and avoidant attachment (Ainsworth, et al., 1978) and disorganized-insecure attachment (Main Solomon, 1986).
A secure attachment is when parents spend quality time with their children and provides a safe home base this allows the child to feel safe to wander off and explore the environment. For example, when children are playing in an unfamiliar area that has many interesting toys and games, a secured child will wander off and play with the toys as long as the parent is in the childs view. If the parent is not in eye view of the child, he may begin to cry. However, on the return of the parent a secured child will be happy to embrace the parent and resume being calm and pleasant.
By contrast, some children who are ambivalently-insecure attached to their parents normally express profound distress in the event that they are left by their loved ones. It is believed that this kind of attachment is not common for instance, in U.S., only a portion of 7-15 falls under this kind of attachment (Infolinks, 2009). An insecure child may want to be hold and embraced by the parent one minute and then the next run away. This type of behavior demonstrates a lack of trust in the parent for not being there when the child needed them.
As far as the avoidant attachment is concerned young ones will tend to move away from the parents or relevant caregivers. In fact, they will show no fondness between a total stranger and their guardians. For them, both are one and the same thing. It is believed that this kind of attachment derives from an environment characterized by abusive and neglectful parents or guardians (Ainsworth Bowlby, 1965). Arbitrary punishment to the child by the parent will only inculcate in the child a sense of insecurity hence making the child de-value the need of seeking help from them in the future.
It is unfortunate to those children who do not get to build some sort of secure attachments during their tender age as this will impact negatively on their behavior right from their childhood and throughout their life. It is acknowledged that children diagnosed with oppositional-defiant disorder (ODD), conduct disorder (CD), andor post-traumatic stress disorder (PSTD) often exhibit attachment problems. This could be as a result of early abuse, neglect, or trauma. Clinically speaking, children adopted with the age of six months have a greater risk of de-merits occasioned by attachment problem. Secure attachments lead to good self-esteem, sound romantic relationships, and the ability to open up to others. (See appendix A).
Cognitive Behavior Theory
The major proponent of Cognitive Behavior Theory is Aaron Beck, who is an American Psychiatrist. He is also regarded as having originated a therapeutic approach that deals with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). It can be argued and justifiably so that cognition plays an essential role in behavior change. In particular the cognition or thoughts of an individual impact their behaviors in different ways. Negative thoughts or beliefs, for instance, can make it particularly difficult for a client to make positive change of behavior (Ainsworth et al., 1978).
Cognitive-behavioral interventions put together cognitive and behavioral strategies in solving a variety of behavioral and psychological difficulties (Psychcentral, n.d.). One of the many ways to change an individuals irrational or faulty thinking and mode of behavior is through education and reinforcement of the individuals positive experiences that will lead to essential changes in the way that person copes. By better improving their thinking processes, individuals can contemplate more clearly on the choices they make every day and the behaviors in which they engage.
According to Beck, Rush, Shaw Emery (1979), there is improvement only if beliefs change, and the change in beliefs results to changes in symptoms too. He acknowledges that an individuals thoughts and beliefs, what he refers to as the schema, impacts the individuals behavior and consequent actions. For instance, dysfunctional behavior is related to dysfunctional thinking. However, on the other hand, an individuals thinking is shaped and influenced by his beliefs. There can be positive results if patients could be encouraged to think constructively and disregard negative thinking.
It is suggested that depression derives from defective and irrational psychological perception which causes distorted learning and reasoning. The depressive cognition is embedded in the traumatic experience or incapability of adaptive coping skills. Indeed, depressed individuals have negative and unenthusiastic perception or belief about themselves and their environment. There is a direct relationship between an individuals negative thoughts and the severity of the individuals depression symptoms. This means that the more the negative thoughts, the more the severity of the individuals depression symptoms and vice-versa.
There are three main dysfunctional belief themes or schemas that a depressive individual undergoes (Beck, Rush, Shaw Emery, 1979), they are as follows the depressed persons look at themselves as inadequate, not capable of success and always as victims of circumstances the depressive person sees all past and present experiences through the kaleidoscope of negativity, continuously emphasizing on defeats, failures and a victim of mentality the depressive person is pessimistic about the future, and just sees it as the failed past and present. This kind of mentality only focuses towards negative aspects of life and the way information is processed. The more an individuals perception is distorted the more selective attention is placed on failures and everything is seen within the windows of negativity. In such a case there is no positivity, always negativity. Unconsciously, the depressed person maneuvers all hisher feelings towards hopelessness and pessimisms.
The best prevention for depression is changing ones core beliefs. It involves restructuring constructively the destructive thinking going on in the person. It is possible to bring positive change in the patient by re-ordering hisher mentality. This is the role of a therapist. He is required to help the patient in setting realistic and achievable goals and taking responsibilities or actions and thoughts (Beck et al., 1979). Indeed, by changing and transforming ones thought and perception, a positive change can be brought in the patients behavior and emotional responses. The therapists and other people of good will should establish special programs that will educate victims of depression on the concept of faulty thinking. Novelty in ideas and approaches ought to be generated so as to develop a positive impression of oneself, experiences and the environment around. People in the community should try to establish home assignments where depressed persons will be helped in reviewing and understanding the impact of faulty thinking in their behavior and emotional well-being (Beck et al., 1979).
In cognitive-behavioral therapy, much emphasis is on the important role of thinking in how one feels and does. It is important to note that, cognitive-behavioral therapy exists not as a distinct therapeutic technique. It can be noted that, the term cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is a very wide term for classification of therapies with similarities. It has a number of approaches as follows rational emotive behavior therapy, rational living therapy, cognitive therapy, rational behavior therapy, and dialectical behavior therapy.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy is founded on the notion that an individuals thoughts influence her feelings and behavior little influence emanating from external experience for instance, people situations, and events. The good side of this fact is that individuals can amend the way they feel andor act in spite of their incessant unpleasant situations. Socrates, the great philosopher, created his own method that enables therapists to better comprehend their clients concerns. Called the Socratic Method, it brings the challenge back to the client by making his discover himself. It is a journey back to inner self and as a result uncovers the hidden potential in the depressed individual. With the use of the Socratic Method the therapist becomes the questioner or subordinate and the client would be the respondent. By allowing the respondent to open up and speak freely it reveals how different our outlooks can be on beliefs we use every day.
Sometimes, some of the psychological intricacies that affect a person have been well illustrated in the scripture. In other words, there is a theological interpretation to fundamental psychological theories, not excluding the ones that have just been mentioned in this study. In this regard, it is important to look at some of the theological approaches to both attachment theory and cognitive behavioral theory.
Theology of Attachment Theory
The scripture has broadly talked about the innocence of little children. It has talked about the need to protect their interests at all times and in all ways. Clearly, Jesus was very assertive when he was with the children, and in fact, mentioned that God has revealed to the little ones his glory and concealed it from the adults. Remember the types of attachment mentioned earlier in this study namely secure attachment, ambivalent-insecure attachment, and avoidant-insecure attachment. Remember when the disciples of Jesus prevented the children from getting closer to Christ. Christ was very categorical that they should let the children go to him. In deed, the children had some sort of security attached to Jesus may be from what they knew about him. Jesus was God, and no doubt that he could read the childrens minds. Now, by telling his disciples to let the children go to him, Jesus expressed his desire to be with the children and affirm their spirituality which they consciously or unconsciously attached to Christ. The children felt a sense of belonging and a deep love for Christ and he did not deny them this chance. The following figures show Jesus and the children. (See appendix B).
There are scriptural verses that state that children are a gift from God. For in stance, in Psalms 1273-5, it says that children are a heritage from God. Blessed is the person who fills his quiver with his children. In Genesis 335, Jacob told Esau that the children in her wifes womb were a gift from Yahweh to his servant. In Mathew 182-6, Jesus says that unless one becomes like little children, one will never see the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like the little children will be the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever receives a child, has received Jesus, but whoever cause them to sin, is better to have a great millstone tightened around his neck and to be immersed in the depth of the sea. In Mathew 1810, Jesus says that one should not despise the little ones, for in heaven their angels are in direct contact with the face of his Father. In Mathew 1812-14, Jesus sights the parable of the lost sheep. That the shepherd will go for the one that is lost. In the same way, God does not wish that any of the little children be lost or perish. In Proverbs 226, it says that children should be trained up in the way they should go this will contribute to hisher future life as an adult. In Deuteronomy 67, it says, teach them diligently to the children, and talk of the teachings of the Lord so that they can hear and learn do this always and by all means. In Ephesians 61-4, it says that children should obey their parents and in so doing will live longer in the days of their lives (New American Bible).
Theology of Cognitive Behavior Theory
Here, the review will explore what the scripture says about self-esteem. Indeed, a case where the behavior of an individual is influenced by the defective or pessimistic mentality is nothing else but low self-esteem. Quickly, it is important to look at the major themes of this theory as mentioned above. They are as follows cognition plays a significant role in the change of behavior. Negative thought and opinions about oneself can create a problem in the behavior of a person. It illustrates that people need to grow out of their backward mind set if they are to achieve a balanced and self-actualized personality.
In the Bible, there are many instances when God Himself, affirmed his servants whenever He entrusted them with a special mission. But, this invitation to grow out of low-opinion and inferiority complex is an invitation of God to all his creation. Remember that, God had to reveal himself to Jesus when he prayed just to affirm his esteem. Jesus went through a lot of suffering and this caused in him deep sorrow. Imagine, he knew what was ahead of him to a point of sweating blood at the Garden of Gethsemane. It is clinically believed that he went through a lot of depression and grief to have sweated blood. No man on earth has ever reached that mark, not even one. God revealed himself to Jesus in person and strengthened him by affirming that he was truly his beloved son. If Jesus let himself be influenced with what was going on in his mind for instance, the whole idea of getting persecuted, being scolded, humiliated, scourged, abused, mocked, name it, he would have been the most depressed person on earth. He was bound to face the greatest injustice ever. However, he never lost sight of the fact that he was the son of God, the Most High. This gave him strength. The fact that he had come to save the world and be worthy to sit at the right hand of his father, gave him adequate muscle to face the challenges of his time. To reiterate, Jesus stayed focused to the greater value of his mission and the inner value of his life.
This is the way to go for all who succumb to low self-esteem and depression. Why not reflect on the inner beauty of ones being. Jesus looked at the future with great determination and optimism, and indeed, he succeeded. He took everything positively trusting in the Lord. This is a great example to all mankind and an invitation to take cognizance that by focusing on what God has put in everybody in terms of uniqueness, no one should wallow in grief, sorrow, solitude, and depression, just to mention a few.
Consider the case of Moses when God entrusted him with the mission to Egypt. Moses came up with so many excuses like, I stammer am not eloquent am not worth it and many other excuses. God did not change his mind but went ahead to affirm him. God promised Moses that he will keep him company all his days. See the point Moses felt that he truly was not worth it, and he might have been correct. Somehow, he was being true to himself. But, God still sent him to the Pharaoh No doubt that, God saw a big potential in Moses, not because he is God, but because he knew him and more importantly, he created Moses with his own strength. God cannot contradict himself whenever he wants to entrust a mission on every person. All have been called in a special way and for a specific purpose.
In Psalms 13913-14, it says that God formed everyones inward parts knitted them together in their mothers womb. All should praise the Lord, for the wonderful works of the Lord in their being. Indeed, wonderful are His works everyones soul should take cognizance of that fact. In Isaiah 434, it says that all are precious in Gods eyes, and honored. In Romans 123, it says that through the grace of God, everyone should not think of himselfherself more highly than she ought to think. In 1John 31, it says that all should take notice of the kind of love the Father has given to all, that all should be regarded as his children. In Songs of Solomon 47, it says that all are beautiful in the eyes of the lord, his beloved there are no flaws in anyone. In Genesis 127, it says that God created man in his own image. In John 316, it says that God so loved the world that He gave his only son that all might have eternal life. In Mathew, 1128-30, it is an invitation for all who labor and are heavy laden, so that they might get some rest in the Lord. In Mathew 5, at the sermon on the mountain, Jesus talks of the beatitudes, particularly that happy are those who mourn for they shall be comforted. In Mark 1230, is an invitation to love God and neighbor this is the greatest commandment (New American Bible).
Therapeutic Goals
The main objective is to affirm that healthy personality derives from self-motivation and improvement. Self-discovery is possible if the client feels loved and has a sense of belonging. It is therefore imperative to establish a good, close and open relationship with the client. It is worthy to make them experience freedom so that they can be free to share their inmost feelings, but more so, to listen to themselves and discover their potential. In this therapy, the relationship aspect is very fundamental. As mentioned earlier, it will help the client experience freedom that will be useful in the process of self-discovery and self-acceptance.
Techniques and Procedure
Therapy will be conducted as follows
The client formally request for an appointment
He will give a problem statement
He will also give a proposal of how the problem can be solved
He will be provided with a list of questionnaire to respond to
The counselor will use the problem statement, the proposal and the answers to the questionnaire to interview the client
The client will be assigned with a physical task, for instance, arranging a hazy state of affairs like in the case of a puzzle.
He will record what his experience has been in the process
The counselor will use the recorded experience to interview the client
The counselor will start the counseling session by point out the strengths and weaknesses of the client
The general aim of the therapy is to live the client confident of his potential and not only that, to discover it as it is.
Conclusion
It can be seen that seen the main themes in the two theories namely cognitive behavior theory and attachment theory do not bring out the fact of self-discovery. Every person has undergone through some moments of depression or there are moments when every one has experienced low self-esteem. It is part of human nature to feel that way. It is said that even though one is not mad, he has some degree of madness. This also applies in the case of depression in that all persons in one way or another have some degree of depression.
Every person remembers those moments when he felt close to his parents while still young and can state the kind of attachment he went through. It is unfortunate if one was ambivalently attached or if one went through avoidant attachment. Often times if a child is subject to this type of attachment later in life it has been determined there are effects to their adult relationships. It is a challenge for everyone not to let himself be lowered by those feelings. Sometimes, one has to fight for his own comfort and happiness. However, one will disagree with the belief that if one went through traumatic moments during childhood he will grow in that consciousness. One can raise above any occasion and lead a very healthy life. This is the theory all should believe in. Through psychological engineering one can go beyond that mentality, which makes you feel low about yourself and through extensive research and education, build a new mental system that will influence your behavior positively. This is not easy, but requires determination and self-acceptance.
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