In cognitive-behavior therapy, clients typically explore reasons for behavior and the consequences.

In cognitive-behavior therapy, clients typically explore reasons for behavior and the consequences.

• A. Dream interpretation
• B. Exploring reasons for behavior and consequences
• C. Unconscious conflicts
• D. Mindfulness meditation

Answer: (B)

In cognitive-behavior therapy, the emphasis is on how thoughts and beliefs influence actions here and now, and on how the results of those actions reinforce future behavior. Clients examine the reasons behind a behavior—the cognitive factors or interpretations driving it—and the consequences that follow, which can either reinforce or discourage that pattern. This present-focused analysis, often framed by the ABC idea (antecedent, belief, consequence), helps identify where changes in thinking or behavior can break a problematic cycle. Dream interpretation or uncovering unconscious conflicts come from psychodynamic approaches and aren’t central to CBT’s method of examining present triggers and outcomes. Mindfulness can be used within CBT as a skill, but the core activity described—exploring reasons for behavior and its consequences—best captures CBT’s practical focus.

In cognitive-behavior therapy, the emphasis is on how thoughts and beliefs influence actions here and now, and on how the results of those actions reinforce future behavior. Clients examine the reasons behind a behavior—the cognitive factors or interpretations driving it—and the consequences that follow, which can either reinforce or discourage that pattern. This present-focused analysis, often framed by the ABC idea (antecedent, belief, consequence), helps identify where changes in thinking or behavior can break a problematic cycle. Dream interpretation or uncovering unconscious conflicts come from psychodynamic approaches and aren’t central to CBT’s method of examining present triggers and outcomes. Mindfulness can be used within CBT as a skill, but the core activity described—exploring reasons for behavior and its consequences—best captures CBT’s practical focus.