Individual Differences - The Cognitive Approah to Abnormality Flashcards

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1
Q

What does the cognitive approach assume?

A

Abnormal behaviour is caused by abnormal thought processes or irrational and distorted ways of thinking.

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2
Q

Give examples of irrational thinking.

A

Selective thinking – Focusing on negative details or events whilst ignoring positive ones.
Overgeneralisation – Drawing sweeping conclusions based on a single incident.

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3
Q

When does this irrational thinking become a problem?

A

When it affects behaviour.

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4
Q

Describe the link between depression and errors in logic.

A

Depressed people tend to draw illogical conclusions when they evaluate themselves. These negative thoughts lead to negative feelings, which can result in depression.

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5
Q

What did Beck identify?

A

Three negative schemas that he said were typical of people suffering from depression. These three components interact and the person becomes stuck in a vicious cycle and becomes obsessed with negative thoughts.

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6
Q

What three components that are part of the cognitive triad?

A

Negative views about yourself, the future, and the world.

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7
Q

What is a negative view about yourself?

A

‘I’m worthless and everyone hates me.’

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8
Q

What is a negative view about the future?

A

‘I will always be worthless and everybody will always hate me.’

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9
Q

What is a negative view about the world?

A

‘Everybody hates me and everyone thinks I’m worthless.’

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10
Q

What is a positive about the cognitive approach?

A

Research has supported this. Perez et al (1999) found that participants suffering major depression pay significantly more attention to unhappy words than happy ones.

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11
Q

What are problems with the cognitive approach?

A
  • Difficult to show that cognitive processes CAUSE a disorder. When somebody seeks help, they already have the disorder and it is not possible to measure their cognitive processes BEFORE the disorder.
  • Ignores biological and genetic factors.
  • Approach blames individuals for their psychological problems and believes that people just need to change the way they think about themselves and those around them to get better.
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