At the Research Front: Cognition and Behaviour Change

For the past decade we have been attempting to understand the role of cognition in psychopathology and behaviour modification. The purpose of the present paper is to highlight and discuss what we consider to be some of the most important findings and issues that have emerged. While many other investigators are conducting related research, we have limited our review and discussion to work conducted by Meichenbaum and his colleagues. The research program and the field in general have been reviewed in more detail by Meichenbaum (1977). See an annual newsletter on cognitive-behaviour modification for further detailed reviews (Meichenbaum, 1975–1979). Initially, we were interested in developing and evaluating treatment procedures that blended cognitive and behavioural components. While this work continued, we have become interested in attempting to formulate an integrative model of behaviour change (Meichenbaum, 1977). The following review and discussion will describe the research program that led us to highlight the role of cognition in behaviour change.