9 Depression 2 Flashcards
How might perceived lack of control over life events cause depression?
According to Learned Helplessness Theory (Seligman, 1975), people can learn that responding will not improve circumstances, so fail to respond even when it might.
What are the three axes of attribution in Abramson, Seligman and Teasdale’s Attribution Theory (1978)?
- Internal –I caused; external –other caused it
- Stable –unchangeable; unstable –can be changed;
- Global –all contexts; specific –just this context
What is the most depressogenic cognitive style, according to Attribution Theory?
Internal, stable, global. Bad things invariably happen, in all contexts, and it’s my fault.
How is hopelessness defined according to Hopelessness Theory (Abramson, Metalsky, Alloy, 1989)?
Hopelessness = helplessness expectancy plus negative outcome expectancy.
Bad things will happen + I can’t stop them = depression. Hopelessness key to depression.
When a person with a negative attribution style or negative schema is plunged into depression upon the occurrence of stressful life events, what model could explain this?
A cognitive diathesis-stress model.
What is a diathesis-stress model?
A model whereby stressors trigger a vulnerability (genetic/psychological) to produce disorders
The diathesis-stress model asserts that if the combination of the predisposition and the stress exceeds a threshold, the person will develop a disorder.
What is a schema (Beck, 1976)?
Schema = belief/understanding about the world/self in long-term memory.
When do schemas develop?
During childhood –if child cries, is comforted, learns that world is safe; if not comforted, learns world is not safe, or inconsistently safe.
What 3 common cognitive biases can be accounted for by a schema?
Arbitrary inference –didn’t say hi, must hate me
Overgeneralisation –he doesn’t like me, so no one likes me
Magnification –they didn’t like my dress at the interview, I’ve failed
How might a schema affect information-processing?
If you think you’re ugly, you’ll focus on –and recall – information consistent with that belief.
What is the Depressive Cognitive Triad associated with depression (Beck, 1976)?
Negative thoughts about…
Self
World
Future
When are schemas often activated?
In times of stress.
How do you strengthen a negative schema?
Through rehearsal. Each time you rehearse cognitive biases, negative schema strengthens. Depressive thinking styles get triggered easier and easier.
Are negative cognitions sufficient for explaining depression?
Not really. The cognitions must also occur regularly.
How do the depressed behave face-to-face?
Make limited eye contact. Talk more slowly, lower voice. Lots of silence in speech. Lots of negative self-disclosure. Negative facial expressions. Don’t react to statements of interlocutor. Don’t express interest in other person.
What is the difference in response style to depression between men and women?
Women are more likely to ruminate; men are more likely to distract/problem-solve. This may be why women are more susceptible to depression than men.
How might depression alter interpersonal relations?
Depressed no fun to be with. Persistently seek assurance. Lots of negative self-disclosure. Express no interest in others. Elicit rejection from others.
What is the relationship between social support and depression?
People with insufficient social support get depressed more often, recover more slowly.
