What is the purpose of behavioral experiments in CBT?

• A. To test beliefs scientifically and gather evidence for or against cognitive distortions.
• B. To replace cognitive strategies with behavioral avoidance.
• C. To document therapist's observations.
• D. To increase the number of sessions required.

Answer: (A)

In CBT, behavioral experiments are used to test what a person believes by turning that belief into a real-world checkable outcome and collecting evidence about what actually happens. This approach keeps the process empirical: form a clear hypothesis, plan a test in a specific situation, measure what occurs, and then compare the result to the prediction. Because thoughts drive feelings and behaviors, seeing concrete data that confirms, partially confirms, or disconfirms a belief helps revise distorted thinking and reduce distress. It also makes change more durable, since conclusions come from actual experience rather than just what someone thinks might be true. This is different from simply avoiding situations, documenting therapist observations, or extending the number of sessions without a test of the belief.