EXPLANATIONS: PSYCHOLOGY BECKS THEORY OF DEPRESSION Flashcards
1
Q
How does Beck explain depression?
A
- Negative THOUGHTS held by someone with depression form their reality. These negative thoughts are often a result of cognitive distortions and schemas.
2
Q
What are cognitive distortions?
A
- A biased, irrational (often negative) way of thinking
3
Q
What are cognitive distortions caused by, according to Beck and how do they contribute to depression?
A
- Cognitive distortions often result from negative childhood experiences-) which lead to negative schemas.
- These negative schemes are activated when faced with life events/experiences distorting perceptios.
Negative childhood experiences-)Cognitive distortions-)negative schemas
4
Q
What are schemas?
A
Mental frameworks that help people
1. organize and interpret information
2. and guide responses to new experience.
Failure schema – “I’m not good enough to succeed”.
5
Q
What is the cognitive triad proposed by Beck?
A
- Cognitive model that explains how negative thinking contributes to depression.
- It highlights 3 main negative thought distortions about the self, world and future (which reinforce each other/contribute to depression)
6
Q
The self- cognitive triad
A
-
Negative views about the self (as worthless, helpless)
Results from attributing negative experinces internally
“I’m not good enough”
7
Q
The Word- cognitive triad
A
-
Negative views about the world (as hostile)
*Results from misnterpreting external forces as against them.
“Everyone is against me”
8
Q
The Future- cognitive triad
A
- Negative thoughts about the future (expecting it to be bleak/full of failure)
“I’ll never be happy or successful”
9
Q
Summarise Beck’s cognitive explanation for depression.
A
- Depression is caused and maintained by cognitive distortions, and negative schemas (that affect perception)
- The Cognitive Triad highlights different negative thoughts that maintain negative perceptions.
