Which skill is taught in Beck's cognitive therapy to address distorted thinking?

• A. Recognizing maladaptive ideation
• B. Dream analysis
• C. Free association
• D. Role play of defense mechanisms

Answer: (A)

Beck's cognitive therapy centers on how our thoughts shape emotions, so the key skill is recognizing maladaptive ideation—the automatic distorted thoughts that arise in response to situations. By spotting these thoughts, clients can examine the evidence for and against them, identify common cognitive distortions, and practice producing more balanced interpretations. This process, known as cognitive restructuring, is what reduces distress by changing thinking patterns.

Dream analysis and free association come from psychodynamic traditions and focus on unconscious material, not the present automatic thoughts Beck emphasizes. Role playing defenses also aligns more with exploring unconscious processes than with actively identifying and revising distorted thinking in the moment.