cognitive approach psychopathology

Question 1

what does the cognitive approach suggest about depression.

Answer 1

the abnormality is caused by irrational thought processes

Question 2

what are the two explanations of depression

Answer 2

1) becks negative triad

2) Ellis’s ABC model

Question 3

what is Beck’s negative triad

Answer 3

it is a cycle of thought processes:
. negative views about one’s self
.negative views about the world
.negative views about the future

which stems from negative schemas

Question 4

what is a negative schema

Answer 4

a set of beliefs and expectations of themselves which are pessimistic, which are used to interpret all events and experiences

Question 5

how are negative schemas developed

Answer 5

through childhood by a traumatic event e.g overprotective parents

Question 6

what are the 4 cognitive biases

Answer 6

minimising/magnification
arbitrary inference
mustabation
personalisation

Question 7

what is arbitrary inference bias

Answer 7

interpreting a situation without evidence

Question 8

what is minimising and magnification bias

Answer 8

impact of achievements are lessened

impact of mistakes are worsened

Question 9

what is mustabation bias

Answer 9

seeing self in terms of having to do something

which can lead to shame and guilt or self loathing

Question 10

what is personalisation bias

Answer 10

blaming yourself for something your aren’t responsible for

Question 11

What is Ellis propose

Answer 11

that depression is not a result of an activation event but more based on accompanying beliefs about the event

Question 12

What does Ellis’s ABC model stand for

Answer 12

Activating
Beliefs
Consequences

Question 13

Not reductionist + of the cognitive explanation of depression

Answer 13

NOT HOLISTIC but does take into account other aspects such as environmental factors
Beck-childhood trauma
Ellis- activating events

Question 14

2 weaknesses of the cognitive explanation of depression

Answer 14

• doesn’t show how the sufferer came to think in that way for example how did the negative thoughts arise as the explanations are quite vague as some people are more susceptible then others
• faulty information could be an effect not a cause of depression a sit could be more related to their biology such as genetics

Question 15

what is CBT

Answer 15

a therapy to challenge negative irrational thought processes to improve behaviour

Question 16

what is the process of CBT

Answer 16

1) identifying negative thinking patterns by asking the patient about a triggering event
2) challenging the thoughts by choosing from a range of behaviours to which match their own
3) skill acquisition and application, patient is given HW to change thought process and reinforce (give example)
4) follow-up to check new thoughts and behaviour is permanent

Question 17

2 strengths of CBT

Answer 17

+evidence: David et al 170 patients had 14 weeks of REBT a type of CBT and had more improvement that patients that had 6 months of antidepressents

+tackles the root unlike antidepressants so episodes are short-lived and prevents relapse due to the skill application inoculates against further episodes

Question 18

2 weaknesses of CBT

Answer 18

-could lead to us assuming depression causes are cognitive because of cognitive treatments being successful as symptoms are removed

-improvement in depression could be related to the relationship formed between therapist and patient
Luborsky found little difference between therapies as it could be having someone to listen too is most important

Question 19

Practical applications + of the cognitive explanation of depression

Answer 19

as ABC model and triad for basis for Cognitive behavioural therapy where they challenge these irrational thoughts to reduce symptoms by CBT which is highly successful

Question 20

Research + of the cognitive explanation of depression

Answer 20

the Temple Wisconsin monitored a sample of uni students that weren’t suffering depression for 2 years every 2 months
the results showed 17% of negative thinkers then experienced depression
whereas 1% of positive thinkers did

Question 21

what is an example of Ellis’s ABC model for someone likely to develop depression?

Answer 21

a break up

ACTIVATING EVENT: break up
this leads to irrational thoughts such as believing that it is their own fault

BELIEFS: person feels guilty and unlovable

CONSEQUENCES: no longer dating anybody as they don’t want to be hurt again