Understanding the development of core belief

Abstract

Core belief is a central aspect to understand psychopathology and responses in cognitive behavior theory. Though the development of core belief is a phenomenon associated with every human being, empirical literature mostly describes its development in connection with pathology. In the fact of limited empirical data on core belief in Bangladesh, the present study was designed to explore the development of core belief and the factors involved in the processes from experience of normal (non-clinical) population in Bangladesh. Grounded theory approach was adopted for the qualitative exploration. Nine individuals were selected through purposive sampling from our community and were interviewed face-to-face using a topic guide. The topic guide was prepared through mind map exercise and necessary pilot testing was done before collecting data. Informed understood consent was collected from the participation either verbally or in written format. All interviews were audio recorded with the permission of participants and the data were transcribed verbatim into a text document. The data was analyzed using Nvivo-10 software where collection, coding, and analysis of data were carried out simultaneously. The data of the present study revealed fifteen distinctive themes that were organized into four broad categories namely frustrated core needs, exposure to and learning of family values and importance, social exposure to the value of core needs, and coping with the meaning. These experiential aspects indicated some interpretative meanings such as acquiring sensitivity about specific core needs; assigning value to core needs; making meaning of life experiences; interpreting, linking, and validating experiences and situations; and concluding meaning for self (the core belief) which indicates the process of development of core beliefs. It was revealed that the experiences related to frustrated core needs contribute to acquiring sensitivity about specific core needs and the experiences within the family environment help to assign value to Dhaka University Institutional Repository the core needs. Furthermore, participants reported different social exposure, which helped them to make the meaning of life experiences. Through interpretation of repetitive exposures help to link within different experiential aspects i.e., situations, thoughts, emotions, and behavior as well as contribute to validating these experiences and situations. The strategies to cope with the meaning through different behavioral responses. Finally, the meaning of self, i.e., the core belief consolidates. The findings are expected to contribute to expanding the understanding of core belief. The developmental process of core belief from a generic non-clinical perspective will widen the wholistic knowledge of core belief and may serve as a basis for further exploration in this area. This research is also contributing to the indigenization of knowledge by its incorporation of an exploratory approach in a Bangladeshi cultural context.