Which approach focuses on modifying self talk as a core component of cognitive restructuring?

• A. Role-playing
• B. Shame-attacking exercises
• C. Self-instructional therapy
• D. Stress-inoculation training

Answer: (C)

Modifying internal dialogue to steer thoughts and behavior is the hallmark of self-instructional therapy. This approach, developed by Meichenbaum, explicitly trains people to guide themselves through tasks and challenges using self-talk—step-by-step instructions, reminders, and coping statements spoken to oneself. By turning these inner words into a structured dialogue, clients reshape their thinking patterns and responses, making self-talk the primary mechanism for cognitive change and adaptive behavior.

The other techniques involve different mechanisms. Role-playing focuses on practicing behaviors externally with others, rather than changing the internal self-talk that governs thinking. Shame-attacking exercises tackle fear and social anxiety by provoking embarrassment to weaken maladaptive beliefs, not by altering the ongoing inner dialogue. Stress-inoculation training emphasizes a broader package of coping skills and cognitive rehearsal, but its core aim is building a toolkit for managing stress rather than centering on self-talk as the central cognitive restructuring tool.