Which statement best captures the central premise of CBT’s cognitive model?

• A. Emotions are caused by events themselves.
• B. Thoughts have no impact on mood.
• C. Emotions and behaviors are driven by interpretation of events, not the events themselves.
• D. Only medications shape mood.

Answer: (C)

The central idea is that our moods and actions come from how we interpret what happens, not from the events themselves. In CBT, external events are seen as neutral triggers, while emotions and behaviors arise from our thoughts, beliefs, and automatic interpretations about those events. That explains why the same situation can lead to very different emotional responses for different people: each person evaluates it through their own cognitive filters. By identifying and challenging these automatic thoughts and cognitive distortions, we can tilt our interpretations toward more balanced beliefs, which then changes how we feel and behave. This contrasts with the view that feelings are caused directly by events, that thoughts don’t affect mood, or that mood is determined solely by medication.