What is Cognitive Intervention?

The discussion begins with the question what is cognitive intervention? Cognitive intervention is a term defined as a set of techniques used in counseling to investigate thought processes in learning, feeling, thinking and problem solving. This discipline within psychology helps counselors understand aspects with the thought processes of clients being assisted in an effort to diagnose and solve problems being experienced by the client.The National Association of Cognitive-Behavior Therapist (NACBT) describes cognitive behavior therapy as, "a form of psychotherapy that emphasizes the important role of thinking in how we feel and what we do" (NACBT, 2010).

The NACBT admits that technically cognitive behavior therapy does not exist as a distinct therapeutic technique but, the association does describe Cognitive-behavioral therapists as individuals who "seek to learn what their clients want out of life (their goals) and then help their clients achieve those goals" (NACBT, 2010).These definitions help to clarify many things concerning cognitive therapy within the social service system and indicate the obvious usefulness within the practices. The key to helping individuals overcome their burdens in life is within efforts toward autonomy expressing compassion, caring, and understanding while supplying positive ideas and reinforcements that will improve their lives.

Jean Piaget, a renowned biologist who switched focus toward behavior developments in children proposed that "children's thinking does not develop entirely smoothly: instead, there are certain points at which it "takes off" and moves into completely new areas and capabilities" (Atherton, 2009). The biologist turned psychologist believed that these transitional stages occurred in incremental ages of 18 months, 7 years, and 11 to 12 year of age. Piaget's study indicated that children at certain ages are not capable of understanding certain things in certain ways.

The insight Piaget illustrated in his studies has became the basis behind scheduling within the school system. Cognitive research and intervention inspired the theory within Piaget that "the role of maturation (simply growing up) in children's increasing capacity to understand their world: they cannot undertake certain tasks until they are psychologically mature enough to do so" (Atherton, 2009).

These factors contributed to school curriculum scheduling with the realizations that some students were good student's not bad ones; they were simply at the wrong transitional stage of thought to understand what was being required of them. Contributing factors like this example illustrate how important cognitive intervention can be as well as explanations of the terms meaning.

The history of cognitive interventions and cognitive behavioral studies began in the early writings through stoic philosophers such as: Epictetus (AD 55- AD 135) and Marcus Aurelius (AD 121 - AD 180). Epictetus wrote that "People are disturbed not by things, but the view which they take of them"(Psychiatry.HealthSE.com, 2004-2005).

Albert Bandura's viewpoint in a social learning model in brief illustrates the idea that people learn through the observations of those around them. This holds true in many areas of human life otherwise training, rehabilitative, therapeutic processes, along with other observational or learning apparatus's would not work in a positive way. Bandura, who studied theories in social learning and best remembered for the "Bobo Doll" experiment focused on many aspects of cognitive therapy.

The initial research for Bandura started centered on the social modeling of aggression. This type of research showed that children in observance of another individual punching an inflatable punching bag demonstrated their capability with similar behavior attacking the balloon just as the older individual had done. Therapist
performing observational practices learn what approaches to assume in an effort to accomplish the goals of the client. Observation holds clues in learning a client's behavior and thought processes which allow higher performance in diagnosis and treatment processes.

The goals within cognitive intervention and therapy are clear cut in that they all regardless of terminology seek to understand the negative or adverse thought processes. The knowledge gained in knowing and understanding
these humanistic behaviors and displaying humanistic behaviors that inspire and motivate people towards positive outcomes in their lives is established through cognitive thought and intervention.

References
National Association of Cognitive-Behavior Therapist (2010), Cognitive-Behavior Therapy.
Retrieved from http://www.nacbt.org/whatiscbt.htm
Atherton, J.S. (2009), Learning and Teaching; Piaget's developmental theory
Retrieved from http://www.learningandteaching.info/learning/piaget.htm
Psychiatry.HealthSE.com (2004-2005), Cognitive and Cognitive Behavioral Interventions
Retrieved from http://psychiatry.healthse.com/psy/more/cognitive_cognitive_behavioral_interventions/

If you would like to see the "Bobo Doll" experiment please go here:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-2953790276071699877#docid=-4586465813762682933