Show the connections between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors in actual life situations (A Learning Competency)
Adolescents must learn how to show the connections between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors in actual life situations. This is what is discussed in this free lecture.
The definitions of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are comprehensively discussed in: Evaluate His/Her Own Thoughts, Feelings, and Behaviors (A Learning Competency).
And the reasons an adolescent needs to evaluate them is explained here: Evaluate His/Her Own Thoughts, Feelings, and Behaviors (Why and How)
Show the connections between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors in actual life situations
For adolescents to have a profounder understanding on the connections between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, it may help to have a knowledge on some theories in Psychology which deal with them.
In one of his lectures, Filipino professor and textbook author Jensen DG. Mañebog discusses the following theories that somehow show the connections between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors in actual life situations:
The Cognitive Triangle
What appears to be an inherent and natural connection between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors is acknowledged in what psychologists call as the Cognitive Triangle.
The term Cognitive Triangle pertains to a “psychological model encompassing the interrelationships of thoughts, actions, and feelings surrounding an event” (“The Cognitive Triangle,” n.d.).
Notice that this theory definitely states that thoughts, feeling, and behaviors are interconnected and elucidates how they affect each other.
In actual life situations, the Cognitive Triangle explains that a change in one of them (thoughts, feelings, and behaviors) produces a change to the others.
The term Cognitive Triangle, as a psychological model, is actually one of the bases of a psychological therapy called Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT).
Cognitive Behavior Therapy
This Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) is based on the work of two psychologists, Albert Ellis and Aaron Beck. CBT is a commonly used form of psychotherapy which aims to assist individuals in understanding the link or connection between thoughts and feelings and in realizing how these two impact behavior.
Although persons have no control over things around them, through CBT however, people can control the way they interpret things and the manner they behave in accordance to that interpretation.
This Cognitive Behavior Therapy operates in the principle that human person normally have destructive thoughts and feelings that can affect their functioning and relationships at home, work, school, and in the community.
Through CBT as a therapeutic intervention, a person can change his thoughts which leads to a change in his feeling and behavior. Once again, these show the connections between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors in actual life situations.
For Tagalog discussion about CBT, read: Ano ang Cognitive Behavior Therapy?
In Cognitive Behavior Therapy, the key is in the positive interpretation of things. For example, when faced with a negative event, a person can either interpret it negatively or positively. And when he/she interprets it negatively by thinking of undesirable thoughts about it, it may result in a negative feeling and a negative behavior.
Conversely, when an event is taken as something positive (though it can as well be taken as negative), it may lead to a positive feeling and eventually to a helpful behavior.
Professor Jensen DG. Mañebog gives the following examples:
Situation: Your mother arrived from work and went directly to her room. She did not even greet you nor give you a glance.
Negative thought: Mom is angry at me.
Negative feeling: I feel sad.
Negative behavior: I will not talk to her either.
In the following counter example, notice how changing a negative viewpoint to a positive one could alter feeling and behavior:
Situation: Your mother arrived from work and went directly to her room. She did not even greet you nor give you a glance.
Positive thought: Maybe she has an urgent task to attend to or she is too tired.
Positive feeling: I am relieved.
Positive behavior: I will just say ‘Hi’ to her after she has rested enough or when she’s done with her task.
*Free lecture of the next lesson (Personal Development MELC): Discuss developmental tasks and challenges being experienced during adolescence
–Looking for other topics or assignment (Tagalog or English)? Search here:
Copyright © 2013-present by Prof. Jensen DG. Mañebog & MyInfoBasket.com
Note: Teachers may share this as a reading assignment of their students. For other free lectures like this (especially for students), visit Homepage: Personal Development
*Also available: Free lectures on the subject Pansariling Kaunlaran
Read also: The Colorful Love Affairs of Dr. Jose Rizal by Jensen DG. Mañebog
Related Article/s:
Evaluate His/Her Own Thoughts, Feelings, and Behaviors (A Learning Competency)
Share His/Her Unique Characteristics, Habits, and Experiences (Why and How)
Evaluate His/Her Own Thoughts, Feelings, and Behaviors (Why and How)
Mga Libreng Lektura para sa Pansariling Kaunlaran:
Pagbabahagi ng natatanging katangian, pag-uugali, at mga karanasan
Mga Saloobin, Damdamin, at Pag-uugali: Isang Aktibidad (Class Activity)
Ang Aking Pagkaunawa sa Aking Iniisip, Nadarama, at Ikinikilos: Halimbawang Aktibidad
Mga Pagbabago sa Panahon ng Adolescence: Mga Aspeto ng Pag-unlad sa Buong Katauhan
Also read: The Interesting Tales of the Jose Rizal Family by Jensen DG. Mañebog