Structure of Beliefs

Definition and Weight of Core Beliefs

Core beliefs (or nuclear schemas) are the deepest level of cognition.

They are global, rigid and overgeneralized ideas about oneself, others and the world.

They are formed since childhood and are considered absolute and unquestionable truths by the subject. They are like lenses through which all reality is seen.

Typical examples are "I am worthy of love" (adaptive) or "I am defective" (maladaptive).

These beliefs are usually latent and are activated in the face of specific stressful situations, tinginging the entire interpretation of current experience with the emotional charge of the past.

Composition of Intermediate Beliefs

Between the deep and the superficial operate the intermediate beliefs, which act as instruction manuals for life.

They are composed of three elements: Rules (rigid rules of conduct, e.g. "I should never show weakness"), Attitudes (emotional appraisals, e.g. "Being weak is shameful") and Assumptions (if-then conditions, e.g. "If I show weakness, I will be taken advantage of").

These structures attempt to protect the individual from the pain that activation of the negative core belief would cause, creating compensatory strategies that often perpetuate the problem.

The Cognitive Activation Sequence

The functioning of the cognitive system follows a logical sequence in the face of a stimulus.

First the Situation (internal or external) occurs. This situation activates a specific Core Belief (e.g. "I am vulnerable").

This activation is filtered through the Intermediate Beliefs and triggers specific Automatic Thoughts in the moment (e.g. "That dog is going to bite me").

Finally, these thoughts generate an integral Reaction: emotional (fear), physiological (tachycardia) and behavioral (fleeing).

Understanding this chain allows the therapist and the patient to know at which link to intervene to modify the maladaptive response.

Summary

Core beliefs are global and rigid ideas about oneself, usually formed in childhood. They act as absolute and unquestionable lenses through which we interpret experience.

Intermediate beliefs operate as rules and conditional assumptions. These structures attempt to protect the individual from the pain of the core belief, creating compensatory strategies that often perpetuate the problem.

The system follows a logical activation sequence in the face of stimuli. The situation activates the core belief, filtering through the intermediate ones until triggering automatic thoughts and the consequent emotional reaction.