Cognitive therapy and research: A question of questions

Abstract

Although cognitive-behavioral approaches have now earned substantial recognition within clinical psychology, they face a host of challenges which merit careful attention. In the interest of their own refinement and growth, a philosophy of critical and cautious self-scrutiny has much more to offer than one of unbridled enthusiasm and defensiveness. Three of the major challenges facing contemporary workers in this area are (a)a clearer demonstration of enduring effectiveness with clinically revelant problems, (b)refinements in our conceptualization and analysis of therapeutic process, and (c)a clearer specification of the operations and procedures employed in various therapies. But perhaps the greatest problem facing cognitive therapy researchers is the tendency of confirmatory bias—i.e., selective reporting, emphasis, and publication of studies which “support” cognitive hypotheses. Unless we communicate and seriously examine “negative results” and replicational failures, we will encourage a distorted view of our knowledge and, more importantly, sacrifice the invaluable information which these “failures” might offer toward the refinement of our models and procedures.