Final answer:
The correct option is 4). Cognitive therapy assumes that abnormal behavior and emotional distress are primarily due to maladaptive thought patterns. It emphasizes the significant impact of thoughts on emotions and behaviors and integrates this into cognitive-behavioral therapy.
Step-by-step explanation:
One of the primary assumptions of cognitive therapy is that a major factor that underlies abnormal behavior patterns and emotional distress is thoughts. Cognitive therapy focuses on the idea that our mental processes, specifically the way we interpret and think about the world and ourselves, have a significant impact on our emotions and behaviors. This concept is integral to cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), which takes into account cognitive processes and behaviors when providing psychotherapy. It recognizes that while life experiences, genetics, and biological factors contribute to mental health conditions, the patterns of cognition, or thoughts, play a pivotal role in influencing an individual's emotional and behavioral reactions.
In the context of mental health, understanding and addressing maladaptive thought patterns can be crucial for treatment. Cognitive psychologists and therapists work towards helping clients recognize and modify these patterns to alleviate distress. These cognitive patterns may include the long-standing traits and beliefs that propel individuals to consistently think, feel, and behave in specific ways, which can be especially relevant in conditions like anxiety and depression.