L9 - cognitive approach to explaining depression

Question 1

what are becks thoughts about depression

Answer 1

due to negative outlook and negative schemas which develop in childhood
self blame - responsible for all misfortunes
ineptness - expect themselves to fail at everything

Question 2

what is stage 1 in the cognitive triad

Answer 2

negative thoughts about self - feel worthless and helpless, criticise themselves

Question 3

what is stage 2 in the cognitive triad

Answer 3

negative thoughts about world - negative and distorted thinking continues on a larger scale

Question 4

what is stage 3 in the cognitive triad

Answer 4

negative thoughts about future - thinking negatively about future which may seem bleak, causes low self esteem
can lead to suicidal thoughts

Question 5

strength of cognitive triad

Answer 5

influential in psychology in the last 30 years
based on experimental research - objective and permits testing
distorted and negative thoughts are common amongst depressed patients

Question 6

2 weaknesses of cognitive triad

Answer 6

• cause and effect, does negative thinking cause depression or is it a side effect of depression, needs to be investigated further
• does not explain how other symptoms occur e.g. anger, hallucinations, bizarre beliefs

Question 7

what is ellis’s ABC model

Answer 7

depression is caused by irrational beliefs

Question 8

what is the A in ellis’s model

Answer 8

activating event
patients record events leading to negative thinking e.g. exam failure/getting fired from work
has a negative effect on mood and outlook

Question 9

what is the B in ellis’s model

Answer 9

beliefs
patients record thoughts associated with event
e.g. feeling useless/stupid recorded in a diary/journal

Question 10

what is the C in ellis’s model

Answer 10

consequences
record emotional response to beliefs
irrational beliefs can lead to negative emotions such as feeling upset
consequences debated with different options

Question 11

what is mustabatory thinking

Answer 11

causes irrational and negative thinking which is emotionally damaging
e.g i must excel in all areas or i am worthless
thoughts are idealistic, and high expectations

Question 12

strength of ellis’s ABC model

Answer 12

research by Bates
depressed pp given negative thought statements became more depressed
if psychologists know the cause of depression, can help provide effective treatments for curing depression

Question 13

2 weaknesses of ellis’s ABC model

Answer 13

• cause and effect not clear, does negative thinking cause depression or is the negative thinking a result of being depressed (genetics)
• blames patient for cause, gives client power to change situation but situational factors may have caused depression e.g. family problems