becks cognitive theory of depression

Question 1

what is the cognitive triad

Answer 1

the self
the future
the world

Question 2

what are silent assumptions

Answer 2

beck believes that the inner life of depressed people is dominated by a set of assumptions that shape conscious cognitions. these assumptions derive ultimately from the messages we receive from parents, friends, teachers and other sig people. the silent assumptions play an important role in making people vulnerable to depression. e.g. i must get peoples approval

Question 3

what is the information processing

Answer 3

• arbitrary inferences = drawing negative conclusions off the back of insufficient evidence
• selective thinking =
  focusing on negative details or events whilst ignoring positive ones
• overgeneralisation =
  drawing sweeping conclusions base on a single incident
• catastrophising =
  exaggerating a minor setback until it becomes a complete disaster
• personalising = taking responsibility and blame for all unpleasant things that happen
• black and white thinking = seeing everything in terms of success or failure

Question 4

what are the domains

Answer 4

affective - depressed mood, sadness, feeling low
behavioural - social withdrawal, restlessness
cognitive - thoughts, feeling guilty
physical

Question 5

evaluation of the cognitive approach

Answer 5

• fault is placed on the individual due to disordered thoughts and beliefs - patient may find it hard to accept responsibility
• negative thinking could be either a cause or an effect of depression SEGAL AND INGRAM compared non depressed with depressed and found no difference in cognitive vulnerability
• EVANS depressed people have a tendency to maladaptive thoughts and the more they hold, the more severe the depression
• WEISSMAN AND BECK