EXPLANATIONS

Question 1

What is the neurochemical (biological) explanation of depression?

Answer 1

When there is an abnormality (disruption) in the balance of our neurotransmitter system
–> excess/lack of certain neurotransmitters: serotonin, receptors

Question 2

What is Oruc et al’s study regarding to the neurochemical explanation of the disorder?

Answer 2

• Family history study + DNA testing

- Result: BP is sexually dimorphic = women are more prone to developing the disorder

Question 3

Strengths of the neurochemical explanation

Answer 3

• Usage of medical equipment (DNA test): obtain highly objective data –> increase internal validity
• Practicality: individuals with family history of BP can take precautionary measures - nature

Question 4

Limitations of the neurochemical explanation

Answer 4

• Reductionist: considers neurochemical aspects only (neurotransmitters) that links back to depression
• Deterministic: fixed cause that depression is due to genetic influence (sexually dimorphic) - women are more likely to develop the disorder = discouraged to seek treatment

Question 5

What is the cognitive explanation of depression? (cognitive triad)

Answer 5

Due to inaccurate mental representation of the world, self and others –> negative schema on life from cognitive biases
Cognitive biases: minimization/maximization, all or none thinking, personalisation

Question 6

Strengths of the cognitive explanation

Answer 6

• Free will: individuals are in control to change their negative schemas –> gives sense of hope to the client
• Clear cause and effect relationship: negative schema = depression –> easily adressed

Question 7

Limitations of the cognitive explanation

Answer 7

• Reductionist: only considers current thinking patterns, does not consider past experiences, family history, etc –> may not fully address the whole symptoms
• Individualistic: disorder due to individuals own thinking patterns –> increases self blame + distress = counterproductive to healing and discourages treatment

Question 8

What is the cognitive behavioural explanation of depression?

Answer 8

Learned helplessness and attributional styles
–> depression from acquiring learned helplessness due to repeated negative experiences in their environment that results in the individual feeling as though they have no control over their experiences = choose to do nothing despite having opportunity to change

+ enforced with their own pessimistic attributional styles: self (blame themselves), stable (cannot be changed), global (affect all aspects)

Question 9

Strengths of the cognitive behavioural explanation

Answer 9

• Holistic: Considers experiences and also abnormal thinking patters (learned helplessness + pessimistic attributional style)
• Nurture: experiences from the environment and also abnormal thinking processes that can be unlearnt and changed

Question 10

Limitations of the cognitive behavioural explanation

Answer 10

• Difficult to determine cause and effect relationship: not sure whether it is due to living environments/
• Deterministic: