Cognitive Approach- Explaining Depression Flashcards
How does Beck’s approach explain depression?
Some people are more vulnerable to depression then others , in particular it is a persons cognitions that create these vulnerabilities. (Beck, 1967)
What are the three parts to cognitive vulnerability?
- Faulty information processing
- Negative self-schema
- The negative triad
What is Faulty information processing?
When depressed people focus on the negative aspects of a situation and ignore positives. Focus on “black and white thinking”.
What is a Negative self-schema?
A schema is a “package” of ideas and information developed through experience. They act as a mental framework for the interpretation of sensory information. If a person has a negative self-schema they interpret all information about themselves in a negative way.
What is Beck’s negative triad?
If a person develops a dysfunctional view of themselves because of three types of negative thinking that occurs automatically.
1) Negative view of the world: cold, hard place no hope anywhere
2) Negative view of the future: hopelessness (e.g. economy won’t improve)
3) Negative view of the self: low self esteem (e.g. I am a failure)
What did Ellis propose?
The ABC Model
What is Ellis’ definition of the CA of depression?
He proposed that good mental health is the result of rational thoughts, happy and free from pain. Poor mental health (anxiety and depression) results from irrational thoughts.
What is the ABC model?
A- Activating Event: Irrational thoughts being triggered by external events (failing a test)
B- Beliefs: Irrational beliefs, the idea we must achieve perfection is “musterbation”, major disaster when something doesn’t go smoothly
C- Consequences: When an activating event triggers irrational beliefs, emotional and behavioural consequences like depression
What is the brief AO3 for Beck + Ellis?
Beck:
- RWA
- Research Support (Clark and Beck, confirmed by Cohen et al)
Ellis:
- RWA
- Limited explanation to all types of depression
What is the AO3 for Beck’s Negative Triad?
Cognitive vulnerability refers to a way of thinking that may predispose a person to becoming depressed (faulty information processing, negative self-scheme and cognitive triad). Clark & Beck concluded that not only were these cognitive vulnerabilities mor common in depressed people but they preceded the depression. Cohen et al tracked development of 473 adolescents and found cognitive vulnerability predicted later depression. Supports association between cognitive vulnerability and depression.
Application for screening and treatment of depression. Cohen et al concluded that assessing cognitive vulnerability allows psychologists to screen young people, those most at risk of developing depression in the future and monitoring them. Applied to CBT to alter cognitive vulnerabilities. Useful in clinical practice.
What is the AO3 for Ellis’s ABC Model?
RWA: Psychological treatment of depression, rational emotive behaviour therapy or (REBT). The idea of this is by arguing with a depressed person the therapist can alter their irrational beliefs. Evidence that REBT can change negative beliefs and relieve symptoms of depression, real world value.
Only explains reactive depression and not endogenous depression. Many instances of depression are not traceable to life events (Activating events). This type is called endogenous depression, less useful for explaining this type therefore it is only a partial explanation of depression.
