Depression- cognitive explanation + treatment

Question 1

Impact of mental processes

Answer 1

Can impact behaviour in a number of ways, through negative thoughts, irrational beliefs and misinterpretation of events.

Question 2

Beck’s theory

Answer 2

Beck (1967)- Cognitive theory of depression/ the negative triad

Question 3

Key components of Beck’s theory

Answer 3

Focused on why some people are more vulnerable to depression than others- determined cognitions create this.

Faulty processing- Attending to negative aspects + ignoring positives. Blowing small problems out of proportion and thinking in ‘black and white’ terms.

Negative self schemas- dysfunctional view of the self -> three types of thinking (negative triad)
1. Negative view of the world- impression of no hope
2. Negative view of the future- reducing hope, enhancing depression
3. Negative view of self- enhances depression, confirms self esteem

Question 4

Ellis’ theory

Answer 4

Ellis (1962)- ABC model

Question 5

Key components of Ellis’ theory

Answer 5

Activating event- A
Focused on situations in which irrational thoughts are triggered by external events. We get depressed when we experience negative events and these trigger irrational beliefs eg. ending a relationship

Beliefs- B
Range of irrational beliefs. Called belief that we must always succeed or achieve perfection ‘musturbation’. ‘I can’t stand it itis’- belief that when something does not go smoothly it is a major disaster. Utopianism is belief life is always meant to be fair.

Consequences- C
When activating event triggers IRRATIONAL BELIEFS there are emotional and behavioural consequences.
eg. believe you must always succeed and then failing at something can trigger depression.

Question 6

AO3 for Beck- Strengths

Answer 6

Practical application:
Beck’s theory of depression has practical application in the real world.
For example, the principles of the theory are used effectively during cognitive behavioural therapy.
This demonstrates a strength in the explanation of depression because it translates well to a successful therapy.

Supporting evidence:
There is evidence that provides support for the idea that depression is associated with faulty information processing, negative self schemas and the cognitive triad of negative thinking.
Grazioli and Terry (2000) assessed 65 pregnant women for cognitive vulnerability and depression before and after birth. They found those women judged to be high in cognitive vulnerability were more likely to suffer from post natal depression.
This suggests that cognitive processes have an impact on depression, and cognition can cause depression in some cases.

Question 7

AO3 for Beck and Ellis- Weakness

Answer 7

Counter evidence:
Beck’s theory works to explain the basic symptoms of depression, however depression is very complex. For example, Beck cannot explain the deep anger of certain depression patients.
Another example is Jarrett’s (2013) assertion that some sufferers suffer hallucinations and bizarre beliefs. He discussed Cotard syndrome, the delusion that they are zombies.
Beck’s theory cannot explain these cases, so we can conclude it is an incomplete explanation.

Although Ellis explains why some people appear to be more vulnerable to depression than others as a result of their cognitions, his approach has very much the same limitation as Beck’s.

Question 8

AO3 for Ellis- Strength

Answer 8

Practical application:
A strength of Ellis’ theory is that it has led to successful therapy.
The idea that, by challenging irrational negative beliefs, a person can reduce their depression is supported by research evidence, such as Lipsky et al. (1980)
This in turn supports the basic theory because it suggests that the irrational beliefs has some role in the depression.

Question 9

AO3 for Ellis- Weakness

Answer 9

Alternative theory:
There is no doubt that some cases of depression follow activating events.
Psychologists call this reactive depression and it is different from types of depression that arise without an obvious cause.
This means Ellis’ explanation only applies to some kinds of depression and is only a partial explanation.

Question 10

AO3: Alternative approach

Answer 10

The biological approach could be used inplace of the cognitive approach to explain depression.
Biological factors such as an imbalance or irregularity in chemical neurotransmitters in the brain, such as serotonin.
This shows a different way of explaining depression.

Question 11

Beck’s CBT- intention

Answer 11

To treat depression the root cause must be uncovered- antidepressants can only reduce symptoms. Negative thought processes must be addressed (+faulty thoughts), which will lead to changed behaviour due to reformed automatic thoughts. (aims to change the way a client thinks by challenging irrational and maladaptive thought processes)

Question 12

Beck’s CBT- treatment method

Answer 12

Root cause may come from negative perceptions of the world and the self. (+ future, Beck’s negative triad)

Therapists aim to challenge the negative thoughts of the clients by getting the individual to investigate the reality of their negative thoughts- ‘patient as a scientist’. As homework the sufferer will have to record moments when a positive event happened or when a person was nice to them, so that when a negative thought is presented in a session, the therapist can present this as evidence that the statement is inaccurate.

Question 13

Beck’s CBT- other methods

Answer 13

Dysfunctional thought diary: Homework given to the individual to keep a diary of thoughts and feelings associated with a negative event, focused on automatic negative thoughts. They write a statement and rate how much belief they have in this (0%-100%). They then state a more rational response and rate belief in this as well, before rerating the original negative thought. This replaces the original automatic thought with a more positively framed rational thought.

Challenging dysfunctional thoughts: Clients are taught to ask two questions when they have a dysfunctional automatic thought, the first being ‘What evidence do you have for X?”, followed by “What is the worst that can happen if X is true?”- replaces negative thoughts with more positive constructive ones.

Question 14

Ellis’ REBT- meaning

Answer 14

Ellis’ rational emotional behavioural therapy

Extension of the ABC model- adds two components; D and E.

Central technique- to identify and dispute irrational thoughts.

Question 15

Ellis’ REBT- component one

Answer 15

D = disruption of irrational thoughts and beliefs. Involves the therapist challenging the client on beliefs they present, to convince them of their irrationality. (encourages client to think of alternative possibilities)

Example: patient may talk about how unfair things are. REBT therapist would identify these as utopianism and challenge this as an irrational belief. Leads to vigorous argument between patient and therapist.

Intended effect -> breaks links between negative life effects and depression.

Question 16

Ellis’ REBT- types of disputing

Answer 16

Types of disputing:

Pragmatic disputing- involving disputing how the negative thought is going to help the person. (practical consideration)

Empirical disputing- disputing whether there is actual evidence to support negative belief.

Logical disputing- involves disputing whether negative thought logically follows from the facts.

When disputing is successful it leads to new effects, E.

Usually positive thought processes.

Question 17

Ellis’ REBT- component two

Answer 17

E = effects of the new beliefs and attitudes that emerge, generally positive thoughts.

Promotes activity- physical exercise improves mood and relaxes- most depression patients stop being active. (called behavioural activation- taking part in pleasurable activities and become active)

Question 18

Ellis’ REBT- other components

Answer 18

Homework tasks may involve entering situations that would’ve previously been avoided or telling a trusted person how they feel.

Humanist ideal- unconditional positive regard. Meaning patients should be encouraged to love themselves and convinced of self worth.