Cognitive approach to explaining depression - Ellis ABC model

Question 1

What are the components of the ABC model? and explain how depression is acquired through this

Answer 1

Activating event - Irrational thoughts are triggered by negative events.
Beliefs - Irrational beliefs
Concequences - Emotional or behavioural - depression

Question 2

Ellis used the ABC model to explain how …………….. affect our behaviour and emotional state.

Answer 2

irrational thoughts

Question 3

What are the evaluations of ellis abc model

Answer 3

Practical application.
cannot explain all types of depression.

Question 4

Evaluation: Cannot explain all types of depression

Answer 4

Cannot explain all types of depression.
Depression caused by activating events is
called reactive depression.
However many cases of depression do not have an apparent cause and do not have activating events
Called endogenous depression
which isnt explain in the ABC model.
Therefore Elis model only provides a partial explaination for some cases of depression.

Question 5

Evaluation: Practical application.

Answer 5

Practical application in treatments of depression.
REBT by Ellis has been successful in treating depression
Idea of REBT is - by firmly arguing with a depressed person, the therapist can alter the the irrational thoughts that are
making the person unhappy.
Lead to relieving symptoms of depression.
REBT has real-world value