L9 : The cognitive approach to explaining depression (Beck's triad and Ellis's ABC model) Flashcards
What is the cognitive model?
The model proposes that individuals who suffer from depression have a distorted and negative way of thinking
What did Beck propose? An some example of it?
People become depressed due to having negative outlooks and schemas on life.
Examples of negative schemas
1. Self blame - feel they are responsible for everything
2. Ineptness - expect them selves to fail everything
What does the cognitive triad explain ?
The thought process that a depressed person might develop
What is the cognitive triad ?
Stage 1. Negative thoughts about self - feel worthless and helpless, criticise themselves at any opportunity
Stage 2. Negative thoughts about the world - negative and distorted thoughts continue on a larger scale. I am bad at everything I do
Stage 3. Negative thoughts about the future - future may seem bleak and negative causing low self esteem ‘ things will never improve’
Evaluation point (BecK): C and E
Limitation of the cognitive approach is that cause and effect is not clear. Do negative and irrational thoughts cause depression or does depression develop first. Needs to be investigated so psychologists can be sure
Evaluation point (Beck) : Influential with psychology
Become influential with psychology in the last 30 years, due to the theory being based on sound experimental research that is object and permits testing making it more scientific.
Evaluation (Beck) : Supporting evidence
Evidence that depression is cause by negative and irrational thinking. Terry 2000 looked at 65 pregnant women for cognitive vulnerability before and after birth. Found women who had high cognitive vulnerability were more likely to suffer post natal depression supporting the cognitive approach.
Evaluation point (Beck): All symptoms develop not explained
Beck’s theory can be criticised as it does not explain how all symptoms develop. Symptoms such as anger, hallucinations and bizarre belief can occur and beck’s theory fails to show how they develop.
Evaluation point (Beck) : cognitive approach criticises the behavioural approach
Behavioural approach would state that depression is cause by learning and the environment whereas the cognitive approach thinks its due to negative thinking. There have been attempts to combine both approaches to form the cognitive behavioural approach .
What does Ellis’s ABC model propose
Depression is cause by irrational belief
What is the ABC model ?
A = activating event - patients record events leading to negative thinking and this is normally triggered by an event such as an exam failure
B = beliefs - patients record their thoughts associated with the event eg. The think they are useless for failing the exam
C = consequence - patients record the emotional response to their beliefs eg. Consequence of failing exam leads to drastic change on dropping out of school
What is mustabatory thinking?
Mustabatory thinking can cause irrational and negative thinking that can be emotionally damaging and can lead to depression.
These include ‘I must be loved by everyone’ and ‘I must excel in all areas….otherwise I am worthless’. An individual who holds these beliefs is bound to be disappointed or depressed, because these thoughts are too idealistic and the expectations are too high!
Evaluation point (Ellis): C and E
Once again it is not clear whether irrational negative thinking cause depression or vice versa. Biology may need to be considered. But cause and effect need to be established
Evaluation point (Ellis): Research support of ABC model as a cause of depression
Bates 1999 found depressed participants who were given negative thought statements became more and more depressed supporting the view that negative thinking helps to cause depression. If cause is found mor effective treatment can be provided
Evaluation point (Ellis): ABC model blames the client
ABC model blame client when looking at cause of depression. It gives the client power to change their situation and improve symptoms, but it also mean some situational factors may be overlooked such as family problems.
