cognitive theory of depression

Question 1

what is Beck’s cognitive theory of depression?

Answer 1

explains why some people’s cognitions cause a vulnerability to depression
3 parts- faulty info processing, negative self-schemas, negative triad

Question 2

1- faulty info processing

Answer 2

• attend to negatives, ignore positives
• blow small problems out of proportion
• think in ‘black and white’ terms

Question 3

2- negative self-schemas

Answer 3

• self-schema is the package of info we have about ourselves

- interpret all info about ourselves negatively

Question 4

3- the negative triad

Answer 4

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

Question 5

what is Ellis’ ABC model?

Answer 5

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

Question 6

A- Activating event

Answer 6

irrational thoughts triggered by external events
experience negative events- trigger irrational beliefs- get depressed
e.g. ending a relationship

Question 7

B- Beliefs

Answer 7

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

Question 8

C- Consequences

Answer 8

emotional and behavioural consequences to activating events triggering irrational beliefs
e.g. you believe you must always succeed- you fail at something- depression triggers

Question 9

Beck

strength- research support

Answer 9

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

Question 10

Beck

strength- practical real-life applications

Answer 10

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

Question 11

Beck and Ellis

limitation- doesn’t explain all aspects of depression

Answer 11

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

Question 12

Ellis

weakness- partial explanation

Answer 12

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

Question 13

Ellis

strength- practical real-life applications

Answer 13

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