Cognitive Explanation of Depression

Question 1

The Cognitive Approach

Answer 1

Says that the human mind is like a computer. Between the stimulus and the response, there are complex mental processes.

Question 2

What are the three elements of Beck’s Cognitive Triad?

Answer 2

Negative self-schemas, cognitive biases, and negative triad.

Question 3

Schema

Answer 3

An organised unit of knowledge, a package of ideas and information developed through experience.

Question 4

Negative Self-Schemas

Answer 4

Patterns of thinking that people develop about themselves that are negative. These are sometimes developed during childhood, possibly through criticism and rejection from others.

Question 5

Cognitive Biases

Answer 5

An exaggerated or irrational thought pattern.

Question 6

What are some examples of cognitive biases?

Answer 6

Over-generalising and catastrophising.

Question 7

Negative Triad

Answer 7

Irrational and negative view of the self, the world, and the future. This is maintained by negative self-schemas and cognitive biases,

Question 8

What are the three elements of Ellis’s ABC Model?

Answer 8

Activating event, beliefs, and consequences.

Question 9

Activating Event

Answer 9

An event that occurs that will lead to depression.

Question 10

Beliefs

Answer 10

How someone interprets the activating event, often with irrational thoughts.

Question 11

Consequences

Answer 11

Negative feelings and behaviours that are the results of negative beliefs.

Question 12

Strengths of Cognitive Explanation of Depression

Answer 12

• Supporting evidence from Taghavi et al. (2006) - compared 29 depressed patients to 34 normal controls and measured irrational beliefs. Levels of irrationality were higher in the depressed patients.
• Good usefulness - Taghavi et al. replicated a Western study in Iran and results were similar. This shows that this explanation for depression can be applied to multiple cultures.
• Supporting evidence from Visla et al. (2016) - conducted a meta-analysis of research on relationship between irrational beliefs and psychological distress from last 60 years.
• Practical, useful application to treatments - Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. Focuses on challenging irrational thoughts in an active way.

Question 13

Limitations of Cognitive Explanation of Depression

Answer 13

• May not be useful for patients of depression as it blames the patient, not the situation. The theory focuses on the patient’s thoughts, implying they may cause their own condition, possibly making the condition worse.
• Fails to take into account situational factors.
• Alternative theory of the biological explanation - there is significant evidence to suggest that low levels of serotonin are associated with depression.