Lesson 9: The cognitive approach to explaining depression-Beck's cognitive triad + Ellis' ABC model

Question 1

What does the cognitive model propose? (AO1)

Answer 1

Individuals suffering with depression have a distorted and negative WAY of thinking.
-People who think in negative+irrational way might be more PRONE to developing the illness of depression

Question 2

Who came up with the cognitive triad to explain depression?

Answer 2

Beck

Question 3

According to Beck why do people become depressed?

Answer 3

They have a NEGATIVE OUTLOOK of the world and DEVELOP negative schemas which DOMINATE their thinking

Question 4

At what stage of an individuals’ life do these negative schemas develop?

Answer 4

Childhood (due to over critical nature of parents)

Question 5

Do these negative schemas continue into adulthood?

Answer 5

Yes AND they provide a NEGATIVE FRAMEWORK-> life to be viewed in a negative way (depressive thoughts)

Question 6

Give examples of negative schemas

Answer 6

Self-blame
Ineptness- depressed people expect themselves to fail at everything

Question 7

What does the cognitive triad aim to explain?

Answer 7

The cognitive triad explains to explain the THOUGHT processes that a depressed person might develop

Question 8

What are the THREE stages of the cognitive triad?

Answer 8

1) Negative thoughts about self (e.g criticising themselves at every opportunity)
2) Negative thoughts about the world
3) Negative thoughts about the future

Question 9

State a strength of the cognitive approach by Beck (AO3)
(hint: Influential+ objective)

Answer 9

+ Cognitive approach has become INFLUENTIAL over last 30 years as the theory is based on EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH that is OBJECTIVE

+Distorted views and NEGATIVE THOUGHTS are common amongst depressed patients + negative thoughts play a key role in the development of the ILLNESS

Question 10

State a strength of the cognitive approach by Beck
(Hint: Post natal depression)

Answer 10

Great deal of evidence to suggest depression= negative and irrational thinking, as well as the COGNITIVE triad

Terry(2000) assessed 65 PREGNANT WOMEN for COGNITIVE VULNERABILITY and depression after birth.

Findings: Women with HIGH COGNITIVE VULNERABLITY (to think negatively)= increased likelihood of developing POST NATAL DEPRESSION

Question 11

State a NEGATIVE of the cognitive approach by Beck
(Hint: Symptoms of depression)

Answer 11

-Does not explain how some SYMPTOMS of depression develop

-Some depressed patients may experience-> anger, hallucinations or bizarre beliefs (e.g Cotard symptom where an individual beliefs they are a zombie)

-Beck’s theory fails to explain how these symptoms occur

Question 12

State a negative evaluation of the cognitive approach by Beck
(Hint: Cause and effect)

Answer 12

Unclear cause and effect

-Does depression develop due to negative thinking OR is the depression pre-existing and causes an individual to think in a NEGATIVE WAY.

-Cause and effect needs to be investigated further

Question 13

What do Ellis propose depression is caused by?
(AO1)

Answer 13

Irrational beliefs

Question 14

What model did he devise to explain how irrational beliefs cause depression?

Answer 14

ABC model

Question 15

Outline what A B C represent in the model

Answer 15

Activating event-> event which triggers irrational thinking
Beliefs-> thoughts associated with the event (feeling of worthlessness)
Consequences-> irrational thinking= negative thinking

Question 16

What is mustabatory thinking?

Answer 16

thinking that certain ideas or assumptions must be true in order for an individual to be happy
(e.g. i MUST excel in all areas to be happy otherwise I am worthless)

Question 17

What did Ellis claim about mustabatory thinking?

Answer 17

it can lead to irrational thinking that can be emotionally damaging and lead to DEPRESSION
-individuals expectations are IDEALISTIC and the expectations are TOO HIGH

Question 18

State a strength of Ellis’ ABC model (AO3)
(Hint: research to support)

Answer 18

-there is research to support the idea of Ellis’ ABC model

-BATES (1999) -> depressed patients who were given NEGATIVE THOUGHT statements became MORE DEPRESSED
supporting the idea that negative thoughts help cause/reinforce depression

-If psychologists know negative thinking causes depression, they can provide effective therapy treatments for those suffering

Question 19

State a strength of Ellis’ ABC model
(Hint: Objective)

Answer 19

Ellis’ ABC model is based off scientific evidence that PERMITS objective testing

This allows model to be recognised as a VALID explanation of the development of depression

Question 20

State a WEAKNESS of Ellis’ ABC model
(Hint: Biological approach+ Zhang)

Answer 20

The biological approach would CRITICISE the cognitive approach

Biological approach= genes, neurotransmitters (low levels of serotonin) is responsibe for depression

Zhang (2005) found that there is a gene related to depression that makes it 10x more likely of developing the illness

Bioloigcal approach= biological factors are responsible for causing depression

Question 21

State a WEAKNESS of ellis’ ABC model
(Cause and effect)

Answer 21

-Unclear cause and effect

-Does depression develop due to negative thinking OR is the depression pre-existing and causes an individual to think in a IRRATIONAL WAY.

-Cause and effect needs to be investigated further