cognitive theory of depression Flashcards
what is Beck’s cognitive theory of depression?
explains why some people’s cognitions cause a vulnerability to depression
3 parts- faulty info processing, negative self-schemas, negative triad
1- faulty info processing
- attend to negatives, ignore positives
- blow small problems out of proportion
- think in ‘black and white’ terms
2- negative self-schemas
- self-schema is the package of info we have about ourselves
- interpret all info about ourselves negatively
3- the negative triad
automatic negative thinking causing dysfunctional view of the self
- negative view of the world, e.g. ‘the world is a cold hard place’, no hope
- negative view of the future, e.g. ‘the world will never get better’, reduces hope and enhances depression
- negative view of the self, e.g. ‘I am a failure’, enhance depression and low self-esteem
what is Ellis’ ABC model?
good mental health is the result of rational thinking
depression results from irrational thoughts- any thoughts that interfere with us being happy and free of pain
model explains how irrational thoughts affect behaviours and emotions
A- Activating event
irrational thoughts triggered by external events
experience negative events- trigger irrational beliefs- get depressed
e.g. ending a relationship
B- Beliefs
identified a range of irrational beliefs
‘musturbation’- belief that we must always succeed
‘I-can’t-stand-it-itis’- belief that small problems are major disasters
‘utopianism’- belief that life is always meant to be fair
C- Consequences
emotional and behavioural consequences to activating events triggering irrational beliefs
e.g. you believe you must always succeed- you fail at something- depression triggers
Beck
strength- research support
Grazioli and Terry- 65 pregnant women assessed for cog vulnerability and depression before and after birth
women higher cog vulnerability- post-natal depression more likely
Clark and beck reviewed research- solid support for cog vulnerability factors
cognitions can be seen before depression develops
strength- suggests Beck is right about cognition causing depression, theory valuable/accurate
Beck
strength- practical real-life applications
theory forms basis of CBT
CBT identifies and challenges cog aspects of depression
like elements of negative triad (easily identifiable)
therapist can challenge them- encourage patient to do so too
strength- expl has useful IRL applications, translates well into successful therapy, QoL
Beck and Ellis
limitation- doesn’t explain all aspects of depression
depression more complex
Beck and Ellis cannot easily explain extreme emotions like anger
hallucinations, bizarre beliefs, e.g. Cotard syndrome
limitation- Beck and Ellis’ theories over-simplified, cannot account for complex aspects of depression
Ellis
weakness- partial explanation
reactive depression- depression following activating events
diff to depression that arises without obvious cause
weakness- expl only applies to some kinds of depression, limited expl
Ellis
strength- practical real-life applications
led to CBT (successful therapy)
challenging irrational beliefs reduces depression- supported by research evidence
strength- suggests that irrational beliefs have some role in depression, theory accurate