cognitive approach to explaining depression Flashcards
(13 cards)
Ellis’s ABC model
Activating event, Belief, Consequence
- explains how irrational beliefs lead to emotional consequences like depression
Activating event
event that triggers a response
Beliefs
involves the individual’s interpretation of the activating event
Consequences
emotional outcomes resulting from beliefs about the activating event
Masturbatory Thinking
irrational beliefs that people hold about how things must or should be.
What causes depression according to Beck?
Negative self‐schemas maintaining the cognitive triad: a negative and irrational view of ourselves, our future, and the world around us
negative self‐schemas
A schema is a ‘package’ of knowledge that stores information and ideas about ourselves and the world
examples of negative self‐schemas
Ineptness schema: Expectation of failure
Self‐blame schema: Feeling responsible for misfortunes
Negative self‐evaluation schema: Constant reminders of worthlessness
cognitive bias
distortion of information where depressed people focus on negative aspects while ignoring the positives
two examples of cognitive biases identified by Beck
Overgeneralisation
Catastrophising
negative triad
The self: ‘Nobody loves me.’
The world: ‘The world is an unfair place.’
The future: ‘I will always be a failure
strengths
✅ Supporting evidence
→ Example: Grazioli & Terry (2000) found that pregnant women with negative thoughts were more likely to become depressed.
✅ Practical applications
→ Example: Forms the basis of CBT, which is highly effective for treating depression
limitations
❌ Doesn’t explain all aspects of depression
→ Example: Some people experience hallucinations or delusions, which cognitive models don’t cover.
❌ Ignores biological factors
→ Example: Doesn’t consider genetic or neurochemical influences (e.g. serotonin levels)
