Cognitive Approach To Explaining Depression

Question 1

Ellis’ ABC model

Answer 1

• believes depression results from irrational thoughts which interfere with being happy and free of pain

A-activating event (getting fired at work)
B-belief (company was overstaffed / they had it in for me)
C - consequence (rational = healthy / acceptance , irrational = unhealthy / depression)

Mustabatory thinking
- thinking certain ideas or assumptions must be true for an individual to be happy
1 - I must be approved or accepted by people I find important
2 - I must do well of very well or I am worthless
3 - the work must give me happiness or I will die

Question 2

Evaluation for Ellis’ ABC model

Answer 2

+ practical application / Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy / form of CBT / disputing individuals irrational thoughts & replanting with effective rational dispute / logical disputing - challenging negative thoughts if they flow with facts / reduced symptoms of depression and prevents relapse better than anti depressants

• low explanatory power / cannot explain all forms/sub types of depression / arise without any environmental trigger (reactive depression) e.g biochemical imbalances / incomplete explanation of depression.

Question 3

Becks Negative Triad

Answer 3

Biased towards negative interpretation / negative scheme during childhood / activated when facing new situation / leads to systematic cognitive biases e.g maximisation

• the self
• the world (life experiences)
• the future

Question 4

Evaluation of Beck’s cognitive theory of depression

Answer 4

+ practical application / CBT / reduced symptoms of depression and prevents relapse better than anti depressants

• low explanatory power / cannot explain all forms/sub types of depression / some linked to cognitions other very angry or experience hallucinations / complex symptoms harder to explain with Beck’s theory / incomplete explanation of depression.

Question 5

Evaluation of cognitive approach to explaining depression

Answer 5

+ supported by evidence / HAMMEN AND KRANTZ 1976 / depressed participants made more errors in logic when asked to interpret written material compared to non depressed.

+ practical application / CBT

• over simplistic / ignored evidence of bio factors like genes and neurotransmitters / low levels of seretonin links to depression / SSRI’s prevent reabsorption / symptoms decline significantly

Question 6

Becks Cognitive therapy

Answer 6

1) patient learns how to spot their negative automatic thoughts
2) patient learns to logically challenge these thoughts and theirs cognitive triad by coming up with evidence for and against (reality testing)
3) determined what the persons genuine beliefs of themselves which may be the root of dysfunctional thinking’s
4) diary records / where negative thinking occurs
5) taught behavioural skills / often set homework / changing behaviour will cause a change in behaviour

Question 7

Ellis’ Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy

Answer 7

ABC
D- disputing (irrational thoughts and beliefs)
E- effects (disputing)
F- feelings (produced)
Not activating event that causes unproductive consequences it’s the beliefs

E.g 
Logical disputing - facts 
Empirical - evidence 
Pragmatic - usefulness of self
Effective - actually realistic

Question 8

Evaluation of cognitive approach to treating depression

Answer 8

+ effective compared to drugs / HOLON ET AL 2006 / fewer depressed patients relapsed over 12 weeks (40%) than drugs (45%)

• takes effort
• time consuming
• overemphasis on cognitions