cognitive approach psychopathology Flashcards
what does the cognitive approach suggest about depression.
the abnormality is caused by irrational thought processes
what are the two explanations of depression
1) becks negative triad
2) Ellis’s ABC model
what is Beck’s negative triad
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
what is a negative schema
a set of beliefs and expectations of themselves which are pessimistic, which are used to interpret all events and experiences
how are negative schemas developed
through childhood by a traumatic event e.g overprotective parents
what are the 4 cognitive biases
minimising/magnification
arbitrary inference
mustabation
personalisation
what is arbitrary inference bias
interpreting a situation without evidence
what is minimising and magnification bias
impact of achievements are lessened
impact of mistakes are worsened
what is mustabation bias
seeing self in terms of having to do something
which can lead to shame and guilt or self loathing
what is personalisation bias
blaming yourself for something your aren’t responsible for
What is Ellis propose
that depression is not a result of an activation event but more based on accompanying beliefs about the event
What does Ellis’s ABC model stand for
Activating
Beliefs
Consequences
Not reductionist + of the cognitive explanation of depression
NOT HOLISTIC but does take into account other aspects such as environmental factors
Beck-childhood trauma
Ellis- activating events
2 weaknesses of the cognitive explanation of depression
- 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
what is CBT
a therapy to challenge negative irrational thought processes to improve behaviour
what is the process of CBT
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
2 strengths of CBT
+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
2 weaknesses of CBT
-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
Practical applications + of the cognitive explanation of depression
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
Research + of the cognitive explanation of depression
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
what is an example of Ellis’s ABC model for someone likely to develop depression?
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
