Final answer:
The cognitive-behavioral approach focuses on reducing self-defeating thoughts and changing maladaptive behavior, unlike psychoanalytic methods which center on uncovering unconscious desires.
Step-by-step explanation:
The cognitive-behavioral approach in psychology utilizes strategies focused on the mind and behavior patterns. A key aspect of this approach is targeting both cognitive processes, which involve our thoughts and perceptions, and behaviors, which include our outward actions and reactions. The dual strategies utilized by cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) are aimed at reducing self-defeating thoughts and changing maladaptive behavior, which can help individuals develop better-coping strategies and lead to improved mental health outcomes.
By reducing self-defeating thoughts, individuals can shift their mindset to a more positive and realistic one. Changing maladaptive behavior, on the other hand, involves taking actionable steps toward adopting healthier behavioral patterns. Together, these strategies help in alleviating symptoms of various psychological issues, such as anxiety and depression, and are fundamentally different from psychoanalytic approaches, which focus on uncovering unconscious desires and the use of techniques such as free association and dream analysis.