HISTORY OF COGNITIVE -BEHAVIOURAL THERAPIES

Although its historical roots can probably be traced well  beyond twentieth-century figures,  the  cognitive-behavioural hybrid  owes      much of its current visibility to a handful  of  relatively      contemporary  workers (Mahoney, 1977). The writings  of  George A.  Kelly were particularly influential, as were the works of two  of  his       early  collaborators  —  Julian B. Rotter and Walter Mischel. In      addition, Aaron T. Beck and  Albert Ellis  helped to  emphasize the potential importance  of  irrational  thought patterns in human      distress  and dysfunction. Finally,  Albert Bandura was  influential in developing a theoretical framework (“social learning theory”) that  offered an integrative structure to these diverse approaches.      Bandura’s book, Principles of Behavior Modification (1969), was      instrumental in encouraging an interface between cognitive  and traditional behavioristic traditions.This was accomplished via both      conceptual and data-based arguments supporting the notion that  human learning is basically a cognitive —  rather than conditioning —    process. Bandura  was  quick to  point out, …