Cognitive Approach To Explaining Depression

Question 1

2 Limitations of the cognitive explanation for depression

Answer 1

Alternative explanation:
The biological approach to understanding mental disorders suggests that genes and neurotransmitters may cause depression.
E.g., research supports the role of low levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin in depressed people. The success of drug therapies for treating depression suggests that neurotransmitters do play an important role.
The existence of alternative approaches and effective therapies suggest that depression can’t be explained by the cognitive approach alone.

Doesn’t explain all types of depression:
not all people develop depression as a result of an ‘activating event’- reactive depression. Some people have depression without an obvious cause, and this is considered a different type of depression to ‘reactive depression’. Endogenous depression is characterized by depression caused by internal factors rather than external triggers, such as environmental stressors.
Ellis’ ABC model would struggle to explain these different types of depression and is therefore only a partial explanation for depression

Question 2

What is the main assumption of the cognitive approach? Main cause of depression?

Answer 2

Our thought processes shape our behaviour and should be studied scientifically.
Faulty/negative thinking

Question 3

What is a schema

Answer 3

A mental framework, gained from experience, which helps organise and interpret new information in the world.

Question 4

How does a person with depression acquire negative schemas according to Beck?

Answer 4

Through their childhood as a result of many factors including parental/peer/teacher rejection and criticism.

Question 5

Outline what is meant by musturbatory thinking.

Answer 5

Thinking that certain ideas must be true in order for an individual to be happy.

Question 6

What is Ellis’ ABC model (1962)?

Answer 6

A cognitive approach to understanding depression focusing on the effect of irrational beliefs on emotions.
A – activating event
B – irrational belief triggered by the event
C – consequence of the belief (unhealthy emotion à development of depression).

Question 7

What is Beck’s negative triad (1967)?

Answer 7

A cognitive approach to understanding depression focusing on how negative schemas about the self, world and future lead to depression.

Question 8

What are systematic cognitive biases? And example.

Answer 8

Drawing sweeping conclusions regarding self-worth on the basis of one small piece of negative feedback. Performing poorly on a test and making the sweeping conclusion that you are rubbish at everything.

Question 9

2 Strengths (and 1 counter) for the cognitive approach to explaining depression

Answer 9

Emphasises client responsibility over situational factors:
The cognitive approach suggest that it is the client who is
responsible for their disorder à placing emphasis on the
client is a good thing because it gives the client the power
to change the way things are. COUNTER -Increase feelings of self-loathing and hatred.

Practical applications in therapy:
The cognitive explanations have both been applied to
cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT). CBT is consistently
found to be the best treatment for depression for example March et al.(2007) showed it’s effectiveness.
All cognitive aspects of depression can be identified and
challenged in CBT. This means a therapist can challenge
them and encourage the patient to test whether they are
true.