Beck's cognitive therapy focuses on what type of thinking?

• A. Rigid thinking.
• B. Optimistic thinking.
• C. Adaptive thinking.
• D. Maladaptive thinking.

Answer: (D)

Beck's cognitive therapy targets the maladaptive thinking that drives emotional distress. The approach rests on the idea that automatic negative thoughts and distorted beliefs about the self, others, and the future fuel mood problems. The work is to identify these maladaptive patterns—common cognitive distortions like catastrophizing, all-or-nothing thinking, and overgeneralization—and challenge them through cognitive restructuring. By examining evidence, testing beliefs, and generating more accurate interpretations, clients shift toward more adaptive thinking. So the focus is on maladaptive thinking, with the goal of developing adaptive thinking as the process unfolds.