Which CBT technique emphasizes testing the truth of beliefs by examining evidence for and against them?

• A. Problem Solving
• B. Cognitive Restructuring
• C. Behavioral Activation
• D. Reattribution

Answer: (B)

Testing the truth of beliefs by examining evidence for and against them is a core practice of cognitive restructuring in CBT. The idea is that many distressing thoughts are automatic and distorted, so you guide the client to pull out facts that support the belief and facts that contradict it, weigh their credibility, and then formulate a more balanced interpretation. This helps reduce cognitive distortions and makes emotions and behaviors more adaptive because beliefs drive how we feel and act. In practice, you identify a problematic thought, collect evidence for and against, consider alternative explanations, and create a balanced belief to test in real life. For example, turning “I’m terrible at public speaking” into something like “I get nervous, but I can prepare and practice, and some presentations go well,” then testing that belief by actually presenting and noting the outcome. This approach differs from problem solving (focusing on steps to solve a problem), behavioral activation (increasing engagement in positive activities), or reattribution (changing attributions about causes).