Explaining Depression

Question 1

Becks Theory of Depression

Answer 1

• Negative Schemas - developed during childhood making them adopt a negative view of the world. Caused by a variety of factors including parental and peer rejection and criticism from teachers. Activated when a situation is encounter that resembles conditions where schemas were learnt.
• Faulty information processing - errors in thinking. Selective attention to certain aspects and ignore equally relevant info. Cognitive biases. Over generalisation. Conclusions based on a single event.
• Cognitive triad - maintained by first 2. Pessimistic view of self, the world future resulting in Depression.

Question 2

Evaluation of Becks Theory of Depression - supporting evidence

Answer 2

• Grazioli and Terry assessed 65 pregnant women for cognitive vulnerability and depression before and after birth. Found that women judged in high cognitive vulnerability were more likely to suffer from post natal depression.
• Strength - supports idea that cognitions cause depression.

Question 3

Evaluation of Becks Theory of Depression - Practical Application

Answer 3

• Stimulated a huge amount of research into depression over the past few decades.
• Forms basis of Cognitive behavioural therapy. All cognitive aspects of depression can be identified and challenged in CBT. Cognitive triad components are easily identified.
• Strength - therapy translates well into a successful therapy that tackles depression at the root cause.

Question 4

Evaluation of Becks Theory of Depression - Reductionist

Answer 4

• Does not explain all aspects of depression.
• Some patients are deeply angry and Beck cannot explain this. Some sufferers suffer hallucinations and bizarre beliefs. Cotard syndrome is occasionally suffered by depressed patients, delusion they are a zombie. Stereotypical view and more elements than just sadness.
• Weakness - Becks theory unable to explain these symptoms.

Question 5

Evaluation of Becks Theory of Depression - irrational beliefs may not be unrealistic

Answer 5

• Not all beliefs are irrational, they just seem it.
• Alloy and Abrahmosm suggested that depressed patients often see things from a realistic point of view rather than normal viewing the world through rose tinted glass. Called sadder but wiser effect.
• Weakness - suggests that one of the main aspects of the theory may not be appropriate, irrational beliefs underpin whole idea of the theory.

Question 6

Ellis’ ABC Model

Answer 6

• Good mental health is result of rational thinking, defined as thinking in ways that allow people to be happy and free of pain.
• Irrational thoughts - not unrealistic or illogical but thoughts that interfere with happiness.
• (A)ctivating Events - irrational thoughts triggered by external events. Depression is caused by the experience of negative events triggering irrational beliefs.
• (B)eliefs - explanations of the event. May be rational and tolerable.
• (C)onsequences - maybe productive and unproductive depending on beliefs about activation event. Irrational beliefs lead to maladaptive consequences and lead to depression.

Question 7

Evaluation of Ellis’ ABC Model - successful therapy

Answer 7

• Led to REBT. Idea that challenging negative beliefs can reduce depression.
• Supported by research evidence that supports the the theory as it suggests that irrational beliefs had some role in depression.
• Strength - led to therapy which had successfully helped many patients be alleviated of their symptoms of depression.

Question 8

Evaluation of Ellis’ ABC Model - Acknowledges situational effects

Answer 8

• Acknowledges that certain events or situations can cause depression.
• No doubt that many cases of depression have been due to breakdown of a relationship or loss of love, psychologists call this reactive depression.
• Strength - more ethical than Becks explanation as it doesn’t blame patient for their depression.

Question 9

Evaluation of Ellis’ ABC Model - cause or effect

Answer 9

• Precise role of cognitive processes are yet to be determined.
• is it the activating event causing depression or does depression cause activating event.
• Weakness - unclear whether faulty cognitions are a cause of psychopathology or a consequence of it.

Question 10

Evaluation of Ellis’ ABC Model - Doesn’t explain all aspects of depression

Answer 10

• Some patients are deeply angry and Ellis can not explain this. Some suffer hallucinations such as Cotard syndrome where an individual beliefs they are a zombie.
• Weakness - unable to explain these symptoms