Source: Umberto CRISANTI111 Psychotherapist, East Kent Hospitals NHS. Foundation Trust and Private Practitioner, Canterbury, Kent, UK.

Background: About 2 million years ago, (pre) humans began to evolve arange of cognitive competences for reasoning. Research across disciplines (Barnard, 2009) has developed multiple levels of analysis related to cognitive reasoning, interlinking neural, mental and interpersonal levels influenced by social motives and emotions (Gilbert, 2014). The complexity of cognitive reasoning and the interaction between cognition and emotion is such that further understanding is needed in psychotherapy. The integration of widely recognised Dual Process Theories (DPT) and Compassion Focused Therapy(CFT), an evolutionary functional analysis of basic social motivational systems (Gilbert, 2014) provide an understanding of mechanisms that may not be adequately comprehended and formulated in psychotherapy.

Aims: The aim of this paper is to merge DPT and CFT in order to gain insight into reasoning in psychotherapy.

Method: Previous literature is reviewed, examined and summarised. Semi-structured interviews and observational data are also included.

Results: This paper suggests that System 1 is rooted in the Old Brain and can override System 2. As a result, this paper can make a contribution to psycho-education and treatment by helping clinicians and clients to recognise and understand why their ability to exert influence and self-regulate their thinking can be compromised.

Conclusion: Clinical implications and limitations are discussed.

Keywords: Dual Process Theory, Compassion Focused Therapy, CBT, Metacognition

(PDF) "What is the advantage of integrating Dual Process Theories and Compassion Focused Therapy? Is the merger a suitable framework to gain insight on thinking performances in psychotherapy?".

Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/336098885_What_is_the_advantage_of_integrating_Dual_Process_Theories_and_Compassion_Focused_Therapy_Is_the_merger_a_suitable_framework_to_gain_insight_on_thinking_performances_in_psychotherapy

Source:

(Crisanti, 2023, Springer Nature-in printing) — https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-15959-6_19.

Abstract:

The human brain emerges both phylogenetically and ontogenetically, that is, over many years during the course of evolution, and individually as each person develops throughout their lifetime. The complexity of the evolution of cognitive reasoning and the interaction between cognition and emotion is such that Dual Process Theories in neuromarketing and neuroscience research are not always able to capture the nuances of multiple modes of thinking. Further understanding of these complex modes of thinking are needed in psychotherapy to guide people to greater awareness of their thought processes. The development of conceptualisations in Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT) have helped Cognitive Behavioural Therapists (CBT) to understand that human beings are ontogenetically and phylogenetically designed to respond to the care and kindness of others. Although CFT focuses particularly on early childhood experiences and how they have affected emotional regulation systems, in this chapter, it is argued that CFT has not ontogenetically conceptualised individual development, and that integrating Transactional Analysis (TA) can be valuable in providing guidance to evidence-based clinicians in many challenging situations. I aim to develop a theoretical phylogenetic and ontogenetic model, which is clinically useful and empirically based, free of jargon and suited to understanding clients who are in treatment for depression and anxiety. Previous literature was analysed and examined, and empirical findings on maintenance factors were reviewed. A model was developed based on clinical utility and current knowledge of processes and maintenance factors in depression and anxiety. Results support the concept of continuous variation in cognitive ability and suggest four different ways of reasoning: a) System 1 Instinctive (survival thinking/non-conscious thinking); b) System 2 Algorithmic, Child or Parent driven; c) System 2 - Safe, Reflective; d) System 2, Metacognitive Awareness. Awareness of the TA-CFT model and continuous variation in cognitive ability enables psychotherapists to pay particular attention to metacognition, games, post hoc justifications and thus avoid ineffective interventions. Seven clinical interventions are also presented.

Source: BABCP; Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN); Psychotherapist in Private Practice, Kent, Canterbury.

Citation: Crisanti, U. (2024). Supersizing Cognition in CBT Through Dual-Process Theories and 4E Cognition. Preliminary Reports and Negative Results in Life Science and Humanities: https://doi.org/10.13129/3035-062X/prnr-4626

Objective: The integration of Dual-Process Theory and the 4E Cognition framework within Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) offers a novel and comprehensive approach to addressing the complexity of cognitive processes underlying psychological disorders. This study aims to explore how these theoretical perspectives can be synthesised to enhance the effectiveness of CBT by addressing both automatic (System 1) and deliberate (System 2) cognitive processes, alongside the embodied, embedded, extended, and enactive dimensions of human cognition.

Method: A conceptual analysis was conducted, drawing on established literature related to Dual-Process Theory, 4E Cognition, and CBT. This analysis informed the development of an integrated CBT model that incorporates these cognitive principles. The model was then applied to clinical case examples and theoretical scenarios to illustrate its practical implications for therapeutic practice.

Results: The analysis demonstrated that traditional CBT approaches often prioritise conscious, reflective processes (System 2) while underemphasising the role of automatic, intuitive processes (System 1). Integrating 4E Cognition principles into CBT provided a more robust framework for understanding how cognition is shaped by the body, environment, and interactions. This holistic approach enabled a deeper

examination of client behaviours and emotional responses, suggesting that incorporating these principles could improve treatment outcomes, particularly in cases involving complex psychological conditions.

Conclusions: Integrating Dual-Process Theory and 4E Cognition into CBT presents a promising pathway for advancing therapeutic interventions. By addressing both unconscious and conscious cognitive processes within an embodied and contextually grounded framework, this model has the potential to offer more nuanced and effective treatment strategies for psychological disorders. Further empirical research is needed to validate the clinical application of this integrative model.

Keywords: CBT; Cognition; Dual-Process Theory; 4E Cognition; Emotion.