Cognitive approach to explaining depression

Question 1

What was Beck’s theory?

Answer 1

He said that a persons cognition creates vulnerability to depression. He suggested there were three parts of this:
Faulty information processing-Only looking at negatives and ignoring positives
Negative self schemas–Negative view of ourselves
Negative triad-Negative view of the world, the future and ourselves.

Question 2

What was Ellis’s theory?

Answer 2

He believed that irrational thoughts affect our behaviour and came up with the ABC model:
Activating event
Beliefs
Consequences

Question 3

What are the strengths of Beck’s theory?

Answer 3

It has good supporting evidence as Clark and Beck reviews research and concluded there was solid support
It has practical application in CBT

Question 4

What is the weakness of Beck’s theory?

Answer 4

It doesn’t explain all aspects as he can’t explain anger or hallucinations, unless you combine it with cognitive primacy and say emotions are influenced by your thoughts.

Question 5

What are the strengths of Ellis’s theory?

Answer 5

It has practucal application in CBT by challengin irrational negative beliefs

Question 6

What are the weaknesses of Ellis’s theory?

Answer 6

It is only a partial explanation as it doesn’t explain depression without an activating event
It doesn’t explain all aspects of depression such as anger.