Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Cognitive Therapy01:25

Cognitive Therapy

1.4K
Cognitive therapy, pioneered by Aaron T. Beck in the 1960s, is a structured approach to addressing psychological distress by focusing on the influence of thoughts on emotions and behaviors. All cognitive therapies involve the basic assumption that human beings have control over their feelings, and that how individuals feel about something depends on how they think about it. Unlike psychoanalytic methods that delve into unconscious processes or humanistic approaches emphasizing...
1.4K
Beck's Cognitive Therapy01:25

Beck's Cognitive Therapy

535
Cognitive therapy is a psychological approach designed to address distortions in thinking, which can lead to negative emotions and unrealistic beliefs. These cognitive distortions often influence how individuals interpret and respond to situations, exacerbating emotional distress. Below are some prevalent cognitive distortions, their characteristics, and examples of how they manifest in thought processes.
Arbitrary Inference
Arbitrary inference involves making conclusions without sufficient...
535
Counterfactual Thinking01:19

Counterfactual Thinking

369
Counterfactual thinking is a cognitive process wherein individuals mentally reconstruct alternative versions of past events, often beginning with “what if” or “if only.” This reflective mechanism plays a significant role in shaping emotional experiences and guiding future behavior. Though typically triggered by unfavorable or unexpected outcomes, counterfactual thinking can also emerge in mundane, everyday decisions and experiences, revealing its deep entrenchment in...
369
Negative and Cognitive Symptoms of Schizophrenia01:30

Negative and Cognitive Symptoms of Schizophrenia

998
Negative symptoms of schizophrenia indicate a reduction or absence of typical behaviors and emotional responses found in healthy individuals, while positive symptoms reflect an excess or distortion of normal functioning.
Negative Symptoms
Negative symptoms of schizophrenia manifest as deficits in normal emotional and behavioral functioning, profoundly impacting daily life. Individuals with schizophrenia often display a flat affect, characterized by a near-total absence of emotional expression,...
998
Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy01:24

Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy

650
Cognitive-behavioral therapies (CBTs) are grounded in the belief that our thoughts profoundly influence our emotions and actions. Advocates of CBT emphasize three core assumptions: first, that cognitions are identifiable and measurable; second, that they are central to psychological functioning; and third, that irrational or maladaptive beliefs can be replaced with rational and adaptive ones. This transformative approach to therapy has paved the way for specific models such as Albert...
650
Coping Strategies: Emotion Focused01:20

Coping Strategies: Emotion Focused

763
Emotion-focused coping refers to a set of strategies aimed at managing the emotional impact of stressors, rather than directly addressing their causes. This approach involves altering one's emotional response to stressful situations to reduce their psychological effects. For example, individuals might talk with a friend or engage in activities like journaling to express their feelings. Such actions can help achieve emotional clarity or release, providing the psychological stability needed...
763

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Characterization of phosphorous impurities originating from the synthesis of Sarin.

Journal of chromatography. A·2026
Same author

Advancement in statistical modelling of chemical impurity profiles in forensic science.

Talanta·2026
Same author

Temperature predicts attendance at appointments for pelvic-floor muscle related dysfunction differently in publicly and privately funded appointments.

Gynecology and pelvic medicine·2026
Same author

Analysis of ligand recognition by choline O-acetyltransferase reveals thiol-reactive assay interference and weak ligand affinity in solution.

The Journal of biological chemistry·2026
Same author

The Effect of Coherence on Instruction Following from News Outlets.

Behavioral sciences (Basel, Switzerland)·2026
Same author

Validating the Swedish STOP-D: a brief tool for depression, anxiety, stress, anger and social support.

Frontiers in psychology·2026

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 28, 2026

Design and Implementation of an fMRI Study Examining Thought Suppression in Young Women with, and At-risk, for Depression
08:42

Design and Implementation of an fMRI Study Examining Thought Suppression in Young Women with, and At-risk, for Depression

Published on: May 19, 2015

11.3K

Using Brief Cognitive Restructuring and Cognitive Defusion Techniques to Cope With Negative Thoughts.

Andreas Larsson1, Nic Hooper2, Lisa A Osborne3

  • 1Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden Swansea University, UK andreas.larsson.1@ki.se.

Behavior Modification
|December 20, 2015
PubMed
Summary

Cognitive defusion effectively reduced negative thought believability and discomfort, increasing positive affect more than cognitive restructuring. This technique offers a promising strategy for managing intrusive negative thoughts in the general population.

Keywords:
acceptance and commitment therapycognitive defusioncognitive restructuringcognitive-behavior therapy

More Related Videos

Exploring the Neural Correlates of Cognitive Reappraisal in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Using Task-based Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging
09:14

Exploring the Neural Correlates of Cognitive Reappraisal in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Using Task-based Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Published on: March 14, 2025

1.3K
The Adventures of Fundi Intervention Based on the Cognitive and Emotional Processing in Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder Patients
05:48

The Adventures of Fundi Intervention Based on the Cognitive and Emotional Processing in Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder Patients

Published on: June 12, 2020

6.6K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Mar 28, 2026

Design and Implementation of an fMRI Study Examining Thought Suppression in Young Women with, and At-risk, for Depression
08:42

Design and Implementation of an fMRI Study Examining Thought Suppression in Young Women with, and At-risk, for Depression

Published on: May 19, 2015

11.3K
Exploring the Neural Correlates of Cognitive Reappraisal in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Using Task-based Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging
09:14

Exploring the Neural Correlates of Cognitive Reappraisal in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Using Task-based Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Published on: March 14, 2025

1.3K
The Adventures of Fundi Intervention Based on the Cognitive and Emotional Processing in Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder Patients
05:48

The Adventures of Fundi Intervention Based on the Cognitive and Emotional Processing in Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder Patients

Published on: June 12, 2020

6.6K

Area of Science:

  • Cognitive Psychology
  • Clinical Psychology
  • Behavioral Science

Background:

  • Negative thoughts are pervasive, affecting 80-99% of the non-clinical population.
  • These thoughts are a significant risk factor for developing psychopathology.
  • Effective coping strategies for negative thoughts are crucial for mental well-being.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare the efficacy of cognitive restructuring and cognitive defusion techniques.
  • To assess their impact on managing personally relevant negative thoughts.
  • To evaluate effects on thought believability, discomfort, negativity, and willingness to experience.

Main Methods:

  • A 5-day intervention comparing restructuring, defusion, and a no-instruction control group.
  • Participants completed daily online questionnaires on thought intrusions and willingness.
  • Pre- and post-intervention assessments included thought believability, discomfort, negativity, mood, and psychological flexibility.

Main Results:

  • Cognitive defusion significantly lowered thought believability and increased comfort and willingness to experience the thought.
  • Defusion also led to greater increases in positive affect compared to restructuring and control groups.
  • Negative thought frequency decreased with defusion, was maintained with restructuring, and increased in the control group.

Conclusions:

  • Cognitive defusion is a highly effective strategy for managing negative thoughts.
  • It demonstrates superior efficacy over cognitive restructuring in reducing negative thought impact and improving affect.
  • Findings support the clinical utility of defusion for individuals struggling with negative thought patterns.