<P> The self - schema can also be self - perpetuating . It can represent a particular role in society that is based on stereotype, for example: "If a mother tells her daughter she looks like a tom boy, her daughter may react by choosing activities that she imagines a tom boy would do . Conversely, if the mother tells her she looks like a princess, her daughter might choose activities thought to be more feminine ." This is an example of the self - schema becoming self - perpetuating when the person at hand chooses an activity that was based on an expectation rather than their desires . </P> <P> Schema therapy was founded by Jeffrey Young, and represents a development of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) specifically for treating personality disorders . Early maladaptive schemata are described by Young as broad and pervasive themes or patterns made up of memories, feelings, sensations, and thoughts regarding oneself and one's relationships with others . They are considered to develop during childhood or adolescence, and to be dysfunctional in that they lead to self - defeating behavior . Examples include schemata of abandonment / instability, mistrust / abuse, emotional deprivation, and defectiveness / shame . </P> <P> Schema therapy blends CBT with elements of Gestalt therapy, object relations, constructivist and psychoanalytic therapies in order to treat the characterological difficulties which both constitute personality disorders and which underlie many of the chronic depressive or anxiety - involving symptoms which present in the clinic . Young said that CBT may be an effective treatment for presenting symptoms, but without the conceptual or clinical resources for tackling the underlying structures (maladaptive schemata) which consistently organize the patient's experience, the patient is likely to lapse back into unhelpful modes of relating to others and attempting to meet their needs . Young focused on pulling from different therapies equally when developing schema therapy . The difference between cognitive behavioral therapy and schema therapy is the latter "emphasizes lifelong patterns, affective change techniques, and the therapeutic relationship, with special emphasis on limited reparenting". He recommended this therapy would be ideal for clients with difficult and chronic psychological disorders . Some examples would be eating disorders, personality disorders and criminal offenders . He has also had success with this therapy in relation to depression and substance abuse . </P>

Ability to organize and integrate information in schemata