Cognitive approach to explaining depression Flashcards
Define the cognitive approach, ABC Model and Negative triad
Cognitive Approach - An approach focused on how our mental processes (thought, perception, attention) affect our behaviour.
ABC Model- Ellis proposed that depression occurred when an activating event (A) would trigger an irrational belief (B), which would result in a consequence (C) ie) emotional response of depression. Key is to have an irrational belief (B).
Negative Triad - Beck says that there are 3 types of negative thinking that contribute to depression: negative view of world, future and self, make one more negative about their experiences and vulnerable to depression.
Explain Beck’s cognitive theory of depression?
Beck suggested 3 parts to cognitive vulnerability:
Faulty information processing - focus on negative, ignore positive and think in black and white.
Negative self schema- Schemas are used to interpret info, if we have a negative self-schema, the way we process info about ourselves is negative.
Negative triad - Leads to one developing a dysfunctional view of themselves via:
- negative view of world
- negative view of future
- negative view of self
Explain Ellis’s ABC model
Ellis said depression is bad mental health and is a result of irrational thoughts- ie) any thoughts that interfere with our happiness.
His ABC model explains how negative thoughts affect our emotional state:
A- Activating event, a negative event triggers depression ie) failing exam or breaking up a relationship
B-Irrational Beliefs, ie) musturbation and utopianism
C- Consequences - A and B lead to depression.
Evaluate Beck’s cognitive theory of depression based on the negative triad
Has good supporting evidence - ie) Grozioli and Terry assessed cognitive vulnerability and chances of post-natal depression for 65 pregnant women. Since cognition can be seen before depression develops, Beck may be right at saying they are the cause for depression.
Practical Application in CBT- Beck’s explanation forms the basis of CBT, where a cognitive therapist can find negative trias etc and challenge it.
Doesn’t explain all aspects of depression- some depression is complex along with extreme emotions and irrational beliefs ie) Cotard syndrome (believing you are a zombie), which Beck is unable to explain.
Evaluate Ellis’s ABC model in explaining depression
Provides a partial explanation- Ellis’s explanation only explains reactive depression, not depression that occurs without an obvious cause.
Practical application in CBT- Has lead to successful therapy ie) Lispky et al and shows irrational beliefs is a key factor in depression.
Doesn’t explain all aspects of depression - Like Beck, fails to explain the anger and emotions like hallucinations some sufferers of depression experience.
What is the evaluation extra?
Cognitive primacy - very closely linked with the cognitive approach to explaining depression as says that out cognitive thoughts impact depression, but there are other explanations like emotions being stored as physical energy and becoming apparent after an event.
Attachment and depression - Attachment studies show infants that develop insecure attachments to parents are more likely to suffer from depression in the future.
