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Cognitive Dissonance. Abortion after Rape
Cognitive Dissonance: Abortion after Rape
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Abstract
Holding two conflicting thoughts and beliefs can easily result to the upheaval of human rationalization. Cognitive dissonance forces individuals to perform actions that bring about psychological discomfort, thus, influences apposite decision making. However, cognitive dissonance is vital for psychological development in human beings. For example, considering an abortion after rape will cause cognitive dissonance for the victim. However, dissonance allows individuals to make value judgments, assessments, and valuation of the situations presented to them. Understanding the influences of cognitive dissonance on decision-making is an excellent way to develop individual ability to make precise choices.
Key Words: Cognitive Dissonance, Abortion, Rape
Introduction
Normal human behavior requires that individuals search for constancy in their values and discernment of situation. Cognition refers to knowledge, which can be translated to attitude, behavior, or value (Cooper, 2007). Individuals hold a multitude of cognitions concurrently, which can be in extraneous, consonant, or dissonant interactions with each other. In psychology, cognitive dissonance refers to the uncomfortable feeling arising from having two conflicting thoughts and perceptions about a situation (Cooper, 2007). Cognitive dissonance is a common occurrence in human life, but it is predominantly noticeable when individuals are presented with situations conflicting with their self-identity. Self-identity comprises of values and beliefs that are integral to an individual’s distinctiveness. Subsequently, when individuals experience an inconsistency between their beliefs concerning behaviors, something must be done to eradicate or lessen this dissonance (Cooper, 2007).
This paper presents a description of a situation that causes cognitive dissonance. The paper explains how the situation influences an individual’s decision to engage in behavior that violates their values, beliefs, attitudes and morals.
Abortion after Rape
Abortion is a subject that has spawned numerous debates regarding the ethical and moral values associated with the act. Abortion after rape has generated even more debate as it provokes what cognitive dissonance with the affected. Indubitably, the majority of people hold the belief that abortion is immoral because it involves obliteration of the life of another (Evans, 2002). Accordingly, most state authorities associate abortion with criminal activities and the act is prohibited in most states. However, the same authorities consent to abortion after the event of a rape owing to the nature of the deed (Evans, 2002). Upon a closer examination of the issue, it is evident how cognitive dissonance may result from such a situation. A woman who believes that abortion is morally wrong may have conflicting thoughts regarding termination of pregnancy that results from a rape. On one hand, abortion is morally and ethically unacceptable, which constitutes the woman’s values and beliefs. On the other hand, her pregnancy is as a result of rape, which is not only horrible, it also causes a sense of psychological damage to the woman. Carrying the pregnancy to full term implies that the woman will forever be reminded of the atrocious rape event. Terminating the pregnancy will force her to violate her values, beliefs, and morals.
In order to lessen this dissonance between belief and actions, the woman can either carry the pregnancy to full term or downsize her beliefs concerning abortion. Further, settling on the latter would conflict with previously held notions about morality and the concept of performing ethical actions. However, the former would reduce dissonance as it accentuates the need for positive thinking concerning the pregnancy. Here, the woman is compelled to focus of the child’s positive qualities, as opposed to, the perceived flaws.
References
Cooper, J. (2007). Cognitive dissonance: 50 years of a classic theory. London: Sage
publications.
Evans, J. H. (2002). Polarization in Abortion Attitudes. Sociological Forum, 17(3): 397-422.
Cognitive Disorder
Cognitive Disorder
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Cognitive Disorders
Michael Fred Phelps is an American former competitive swimmer. He is known to be the most successful swimmer of all time. Michael Phelps has twenty-eight medals for this. However, do not think that things were easy for Michael Phelps at any point in life. This is because he was struggling with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) from a very young age. He is a perfect example that ADHD should not deter anyone from being successful in life.
Anyone can get ADHD. In fact, today it is one of the most common conditions that affect children. It may be caused by a number of factors. One of the factors is when one’s part of the brain that control attention and activity cease to function as they should. It is also possible for a child to inherit the condition from the parents (Swanson et al. 2006). Other times one may be get a head injury that may interfere with the part of the brain controlling attention and activity. A child born premature is also more likely to get the condition. Mothers are advised not to take drugs such as nicotine and alcohol as this infects the child by increasing their risk of getting ADHD (Barkley, 2014). For Michael Phelps, there was no obvious cause for his condition. His parents did not have the condition. His mother also did not smoke or drink while she was pregnant.
People with this condition can barely concentrate or have a very low concentration span. They also tend to fidget, repeat their words a lot and be impulsive. Like all other children with ADHD, Michael found it very difficult to concentrate in class. He was constantly finding other things to do. His teachers could not understand him and ended up treating him differently. Other teachers even told him that he would be a failure in life because of his he behaved. Teachers in different grades continued to complain about Michael and how he never seemed to improved in his studies. It was a challenge and struggle for him all through. He was depressed and had anxiety due this condition.
His mother decided to take him to a professional and he was diagnosed with ADHD at the age of nine years old. Phelps started going swimming at an aquatic club nearby. He noticed that he loved doing this. Even though he could not concentrate in class, he was able to concentrate while swimming. He started wining medals at a very young age because he was exceptionally talented.
Much of Michael Phelps success can be attributed to his mother. His mother helped by establishing a routine that was meant to help him in his concentration. She implemented more strategies such as decreasing his intake of sugar that would help him be more successful. Her mother believed that swimming helped him through his condition. By seeking the help of a professional, they advised on how they would manage the condition. Many parents would have stayed silent with their children’s condition due to fear of stigmatization. Michael Phelps also took stimulants to assist him with his concentration in school. He had to carry them to school even though he was not comfortable with this.
Michael Phelps admits that dealing with his condition was not easy at all. He was constantly angry and depressed. In spite of his condition, he believed in himself and pursue his dreams. People should talk more about cognitive disorders and assist those who have the conditions. They can also become successful and happy if they accept who they are and work on themselves every day.
References
Barkley, R. A. (Ed.). (2014). Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder: A handbook for diagnosis and treatment. Guilford Publications.
Swanson, J. M., Volkow, N. D., Newcorn, J., Casey, B. J., Moyzis, R., Grandy, D., & Posner, M. (2006). Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Encyclopedia of Cognitive Science.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
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Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Selecting counseling theory
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is a psychotherapy treatment that is short term and follows steps towards a certain goal. This goal-oriented therapy uses a hands-on or practical approach to alter how a patient thinks or behaves. It is a short-term method where the client preferably attends weekly sessions for a number of months to learn strategies and tools they will apply independently.
Goals for Therapy
The most important goal is to change the thinking patterns of the patient or behavior that cause them certain difficulties. Because each therapy is customized for each client and their needs, the goals are unique in each session depending on the circumstance of the client (Craske, 2014). The ultimate goal of these sessional objectives is to guide the clients into rethinking their own perceptions and thought patterns, enabling them to get ahold of their behavior by detaching what others do from their interpretations of the world.
On a personal level, the goals of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy may be things like being able to interact comfortably with people, conversing comfortably with friends and strangers, enjoying socializing, being able to form friendships or getting intimate, speaking in public. It also helps an individual to be assertive, overcome depression, performance anxieties, or trauma. However, the exact goals of this type of therapy are customized to the needs of each client.
In summary, cognitive behavioral therapy promotes and individual self-awareness and emotional intelligence by helping them learn to understand or “read” their emotions and differentiate between unhealthy and healthy thoughts. This type of therapy allows clients to comprehend how distorted contemplations and perceptions result in painful feelings. The other goal is to reduce the symptoms as fast as possible by emphasizing on examining the current situation the client is in and dealing with the current issues. The therapy also works towards equipping clients with techniques to pinpoint and deal with distorted thoughts. The last goal is to prevent emotional distress in the future and encourage the personal growth of clients to alter their core beliefs associated with their suffering.
Role of Therapist
The role of the therapist is to listen and to teach the client while encouraging them to express their feelings and concerns, to learn, and to put that learning into practice (Hofmann, 2012). In essence, CBT therapists do not dictate what clients should do but rather identify the strengths of these clients and use them to help them learn how to do. This emphasis on education leads to long term results. When people understand why and how they are doing well, they have the incentive to continue on the same path. The therapists believe that the negative impact on one’s life comes from the way an individual perceives and responds to the situation as opposed to the negative effects coming from the situation or circumstance itself.
Techniques
Cognitive-behavioral therapy differentiates itself from other types of therapies by how the therapeutic sessions are structured. This type of therapy put great emphasis on structure. A standard session is guided by this protocol;
The client and therapist identify particular problems they will deal with for the week.
The client and therapist start with planning strategies for how to approach the identified problems.
They then revisit the client’s homework from the previous week together and discuss progress made.
The client is then assigned new homework for the coming week based on the progress they made and the newly identified goals.
A standard session is 50 minutes, which is somewhat limited. For this reason, sessions are tuned into forums for revisiting ideas and monitoring progress (Zettle & Hayes, 2015). Homework is very important to the success of this type of therapy, and it’s the duty of the client to ensure they complete these tasks and keep up with what is expected of them and honor agreements between them and their therapists. This homework usually includes behavioral learning strategies, worksheets, and experiments.
Expectations of the Client
The role of the client is to express themselves and their concerns, to learn, and to apply that learning in their actions. Cognitive behavioral therapy is a partnership where both the client and the therapist make meaningful contributions. However, some experts believe that CBT does not pay attention to therapeutic relationships as a means of effecting change (Easterbrook, & Meehan, 2017). The client is also expected to be reactive during sessions and participate actively.
References
Craske, M. G. (2014). Cognitive-behavioral therapy. American Psychological Association.
Easterbrook, C. J., & Meehan, T. (2017). The therapeutic relationship and cognitive behavioural therapy: A case study of an adolescent girl with depression.
Hofmann, S. G., Asnaani, A., Vonk, I. J., Sawyer, A. T., & Fang, A. (2012). The efficacy of cognitive behavioral therapy: A review of meta-analyses. Cognitive therapy and research, 36(5), 427-440.
Zettle, R. D., & Hayes, S. C. (2015). Rule-governed behavior: A potential theoretical framework for cognitive-behavioral therapy. In The Act in Context (pp. 33-63). Routledge.