cognitive approach to explaining depression

Question 1

what did beck believe about depression?

Answer 1

• that some people were more vulnerable to depression than others
• their cognitions create this vulnerability

Question 2

what were the 3 parts of Beck’s cognitive theory of depression

Answer 2

• faulty info processing
• negative self-schemas
• negative triad

Question 3

what were the two the approaches to explaining depression?

Answer 3

• Beck’s cognitive theory of depression

- Elis’ ABC model

Question 4

explain faulty info processing in Beck’s cognitive theory of depression

Answer 4

• when depressed we focus in negative and not positive

- blow small problems out of proportion ‘black and white thinking’

Question 5

explain negative self-schemas in Beck’s cognitive theory of depression

Answer 5

• schema is a package of info developed through experience

- negative self schema interprets info about ourselves negatively

Question 6

explain the negative triad in Beck’s cognitive theory of depression

Answer 6

• negative view of world: no hop anywhere
• negative view of future: reduce hope+ enhance depression
• negative view of self: ‘i am a failure’ =low self esteem
• when we are depressed this is the dysfunctional views that occur

Question 7

What did Ellis believe about depression?

Answer 7

• results from irrational thoughts
• that interfere with happiness
• depression happens through a trigger

Question 8

Learning through operant conditioning is through…?

Answer 8

-consequences

Question 9

Learning through classical conditioning is through…?

Answer 9

-association

Question 10

What are the 3 steps of Elis’ ABC model?

Answer 10

• A: activating event
• B: beliefs
• C: consequences

Question 11

Explain the first step of Elis’ ABC model

Answer 11

Activating event

• irrational thoughts are triggered by external events
• eg. Losing your job

Question 12

Explain the second step of Elis’ ABC model

Answer 12

Beliefs

• irrational beliefs eg. I must always succeed
• Utopianism is linked as they believe life should be fair

Question 13

Explain the third step of Elis’ ABC model?

Answer 13

Consequences

• when activating event triggers irrational beliefs there are emotional + behavioural consequences
• eg. Depression

Question 14

Evaluate how Becks cognitive theory has ‘good supporting evidence?

Answer 14

STRENGTH

• grazoli assessed 65 pregnant women for cognitive vulnerability/depression before/ after birth
• women who had High vulnerability= post natal depression
• more research showed there was solid support for cognitive vulnerability factors
• supporting evidence proves theory is correct

Question 15

Evaluate how Becks cognitive theory has ‘practical application in the CBT’

Answer 15

STRENGTH

• all cognitive aspects of depression can be identified and challenged in CBT (including negative triad)
• allows therapist to challenge them and see whether they are evident in depression
• helps in therapy

Question 16

Evaluate how Becks cognitive theory ‘doesn’t explain all aspects of depression’

Answer 16

WEAKNESS

• explains basic symptoms of depression
• some patients are angry that beck can’t explain extreme depression
• eg. Hallucinations

Question 17

Evaluate how Elis’ ABC model is only a partial explanation

Answer 17

WEAKNESS

• only speaks about reactive depression different to depression that has no trigger
• only applies to some types of depression =partial explanation

Question 18

Evaluate how Elis’ ABC mode has ‘practical application in the CBT’

Answer 18

STRENGTH

• by challenging irrational beliefs person can reduce their depression
• shows beliefs has a role in depression
• leads to successful Therapy