Behavioural accounts of depression

Question 1

Define the concept of “turning inward”

Answer 1

Turning inward refers to individuals becoming more focused on their own deprivation rather than potential sources of positive reinforcement in the environment, often seen in depression.

Question 2

Describe the focus of behavioral activation therapy.

Answer 2

Behavioral activation therapy primarily targets avoidant behavioral repertoires, aiming to help individuals engage in more adaptive behaviors and activities.

Question 3

What is the role of a behavioral activation therapist?

Answer 3

The role of a behavioral activation therapist is to work with the client to implement activation strategies, set achievable goals, break tasks into manageable units, troubleshoot problems, maintain motivation, and identify patterns of behavior.

Question 4

Define avoidant behaviors

Answer 4

Avoidant behaviors are actions or strategies individuals use to
escape or avoid dealing with problems or unpleasant emotions
orten seen in individuals with increased depression

Question 5

how can practitioners understand the function of behaviour in
individuals with depression?

Answer 5

Practitioners should consider how certain behaviors, such as avoidance or remaining in unfulfilling situations may have evolved
over time to serve important functions for the indivioual

Question 6

Define avoidance in the context of depression.

Answer 6

Avoidance involves attempts to prevent, escape, or reduce contact with aversive or minimally rewarding internal or external stimuli, which can lead to emotional and behavioral problems, particularly in depressive and anxiety disorders

Question 7

What are appetitive stimuli and how are they related to avoidance behaviors?

Answer 7

Appetitive stimuli are pleasant or wanted events that individuals naturally try to approach. Excessive avoidance not only reduces contact with aversive stimul but also diminishes contact with
appetitive stimuli that provide positive reinforcement

Question 8

Describe cognitive avoidant behaviours in depression

Answer 8

Cognitive avoidant coping involves behaviors like denying, minimizing, ruminating, or making passive decisions that stressful or unpleasant situations are unchangeable, contributing to the maintenance of depressive symptoms.

Question 9

Describe the behavioural theories of depression.

Answer 9

Behavioural theories of depression explain the development and persistence of depressive symptoms as a result of decreased environmental reward, reductions in positively reinforced adaptive behaviors, reinforcement of depressive behaviors, and punishment of healthy behaviors.

Question 10

What is the definition of avoidant’ behaviors in relation to
depression?

Answer 10

Avoidant behaviors are actions. both private and public, that serve an avoidant function and are critical in reducing reward and positive reinforcement, predisposing individuals to depression.

Question 11

How are aversive stimuli related to avoidant behaviors in depression?

Answer 11

Aversive stimuli, which are unpleasant or disliked, lead to behaviors such as staying in bed, avoiding social situations, and using distractions like excessive TV or alcohol, ultimately resulting in the
removal or avoidance of the aversive stimulus

Question 12

What is the emphasis of the Ist, 2nd, and 3rd waves of behavior therapies?

Answer 12

1st Wave: Conditioning-based therapies, 2nd Wave: Introduction of cognitive element, 3rd Wave: Removal of focus on cognition for a more holistic approach

Question 13

Describe the concept of Waves of Behavior Therapies.

Answer 13

It categorizes behavior therapies into different ‘waves’ based on their focus and evolution, from conditioning-based therapies to more nolistic approaches

Question 14

How do behavioral therapists approach understanding a client’s behavior in therapy?

Answer 14

They focus on the function of the behavior and its consequences rather than just the behavior itself, aiming to understand how it may
be reinforcing depressive symptoms

Question 15

Describe the primary assumption of depression in the behavioral approach to therapy.

Answer 15

Depression is the result of a learning history where behaviors do not result in positive rewards or allow escape from aversive conditions.

Question 16

Define the focus of practitioners working within a behavioral framework

Answer 16

They are less interested in the behavior itself but more interested in
the function and consequence of the behavior.

Question 17

How do behavioral theories of depression explain the cycle that
can worsen depressive symptoms?

Answer 17

Behaviors aimed at escaping or avoiding stimuli lead to passivity and withdrawal, reducing positively reinforced behaviors, which in turn sustains or worsens debressive symptoms

Question 18

What is the purpose of activity monitoring in the context of
Behavioural Activation (BA)?

Answer 18

To track what individuals are doing and how they feel during those activities.

Question 19

Describe how guided activation works in Behavioural Activation
(BA).

Answer 19

It involves developing personalized behavior change strategies with the therapist to disrupt depression-maintaining relationships and
focus on activities reinforcing for the individual

Question 20

How are activation strategies in Behavioural Activation (BA) different from random activities or general mood-improving actions?

Answer 20

They are highly individualized, tailored to the client’s values, pleasure, mastery, and goals, rather than engaging in activities thought to be generally pleasing.

Question 21

Describe the Pleasant and Unpleasant Events Schedules

Answer 21

They are scales where individuals rate the pleasantness or aversiveness of common behaviors and how often they engage in them.

Question 22

Define the current Conceptualisation of Behavioural Theory of Depression (BA).

Answer 22

It focuses on life context triggers for depression and how individuals respond to them, emphasizing low positive reinforcement and high aversive control.

Question 23

How does a less rewarding life context contribute to feelings of sadness and depression according to the Behavioural Theory of Depression?

Answer 23

It can lead individuals to pull away from the world, disrupt routines, and hinder problem-solving, preventing connections with mood- Improving aspects and stress reduction

Question 24

How does the content describe the behavior of depressed Individuals in relation to aversive consequences?

Answer 24

Depressed individuals tend to become preoccupied with escape and avoidance when faced with aversive consequences, expending more energy on avoiding or escaping than seeking potential positive reinforcers

Question 25

Describe the impact of lack of positive reinforcement on individuals as per the content.

Answer 25

Lack of positive reinforcement may lead individuals to reduce adaptive behaviors, adopt passive repertoires, and become less engaged in seeking potential sources of reinforcement in the
environment

Question 26

What did Lewinsohn emphasize regarding response-contingent reinforcement in the content?

Answer 26

Lewinsohn highlighted that the total amount of reinforcement is influenced by the number of potentially reinforcing events, their availability in the environment. and the individuals instrumental behavior in eliciting such reinforcement.