ABSTRACT
The cognitive perspective concentrates on the individual's view of the world as the main determinant of his or her behavior. Cognitive theories developed as a reaction against the beliefs that complex human behavior could be adequately described in terms of stimulus and response, unconscious motivation, or purely social influences. Construct theory is distinctly human in its orientation and thus appeals to those who view human behavior as too complex to be explained in terms of sexual impulses, basic drive fulfillment, or simple reinforcement. Social learning theory (SLT) maintains that "the unit of investigation for the study of personality is the interaction of the individual and his meaningful environment". SLT concentrates on learned behavior in the context of interactions with the environment. Cognitive theories provide a significant tool in dealing with certain patient characteristics-namely, their perceptions of what it means to be sick and their anticipations about what will happen to them once they come under the care of a professional.
