Characteristics And Explanations For Depression Flashcards
Describe cognitive, behavioural and emotional characteristics of depression. (4,3,3)
Cognitive: Poor concentration, dwelling on the negative, negative view of the world, lowered expectations.
Behavioural: Sleep disturbance, appetite changes, change in activity level.
Emotional: Lowered mood, anger, low self esteem.
Describe Beck’s cognitive triad.
Some people are more vulnerable to depression than others. The way we think causes vulnerability. There are three parts to this vulnerability. (Negative self schema, cognitive biases, negative triad)
Describe negative self schema.
An individual has patterns of thinking about themselves which are negative. Beck suggested these develop through childhood e.g. via criticism and rejection.
What are cognitive biases? + Example
An exaggerated or irrational thought pattern.
E.g. over-generalisation and catastrophising
Describe the negative triad
Negative view of the self, the world and the future. It is maintained by negative self schema and cognitive biases (faulty information processing)
What is Ellis’s ABC model of depression?
Activating event - event which occurs in someone’s life.
Belief - rational or irrational: connects events and consequences.
Consequences - negative feelings or behaviours result from irrational beliefs.
Evaluate cognitive explanations for depression.
+ Clark and Beck: cognitive vulnerabilities more common in and preceded depression. Cohen et Al confirmed this: 473 adolescents development monitored - cognitive vulnerabilities = predictor of later depression
+ Real world application: CBT and REBT which attempt to challenge irrational thoughts (key element in depression)
– ABC model only explains reactive depression, not endogenous.
– Depression could be explained biologically using genes and neurotransmitters e.g. lower levels of serotonin in depression and SSRI’s effective treatment - unlikely cognitive explanation = sole cause.
