Beck's theory of modes: a scoping review

This study reviewed and synthesized the national and international literature on the main aspects of the Theory of Modes related to Becks Cognitive Model.For this, searches in Scielo, PubMed, Scopus and PsychINFO databases were performed.Of the 1437 productions found, 11 studies were included in the scoping review.The results revealed important aspects about the theory, covering the definition and structure of the mode, its activation process, its adaptability and specificity, as well as clinical interventions directed to the mode and indications for new studies and/or theoretical advances.Finally, a new graphic representation of mode activation was proposed.These findings support the understanding that mode adaptation is influenced by adjustments between the self and external situational demands, sociocultural expectations, and the presence of persistent cognitive biases, which explains personality oscillations involving psychopathologies and adaptive behavior.Gaps in the literature have been identified, especially in the national literature, about the insufficiency of conducting empirical studies aimed at the effectiveness of the Theory of Modes and its particularities.Understanding globally the adaptive and non-adaptive processes of human personality reveals to be essential in the clinical practice of therapists.