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Copyright © 2006 Mark K. Clare

ABCs of Cognition – One Way to See Inside Mental Models

• Developed by Albert Ellis

• Adapted from McMullin, The New Handbook of Cognitive Therapy Techniques, Norton 2000

Think through the ABCs for:

• Another driver pulls in front of you without warning

• A customer asks a hard question

• You get a well deserved compliment

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Copyright © 2006 Mark K. Clare

ABCs of Cognition – The Real Model

•Adapted from McMullin, The New Handbook of Cognitive Therapy Techniques, Norton 200

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Copyright © 2006 Mark K. Clare

ABCs of Cognition – Types of Belief

•Adapted from McMullin, The New Handbook of Cognitive Therapy Techniques, Norton 2000

ExpectationsSelf-EfficacySelf-Concept

Attention

Selective Memory Attribution

EvaluationsSelf InstructionHidden cognitions

Explanatory Style

Describe the different types of beliefs and their role if A = you are given a hard problem to solve at work or school

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Copyright © 2006 Mark K. Clare

ABCs of Self Regulation

ExpectationsSelf-EfficacySelf-Concept

Explanatory Style

Attention

Selective Memory Attribution

EvaluationsSelf InstructionHidden cognitions

• self monitor the B’s• activating event = discrepancy or trigger detection• selective memory = how well did I do last time?• self instruction between Ce and Cb = strategy for corrective action• behavioral reaction = fall off path or implement corrective action

For hard behaviors it is nearly impossible for the individual to navigate this successfully – The collective cognition of a support group is required