non-bio exp (cognitive) of depression Flashcards
beck’s theory
negative styles in thinking may develop from negative experiences early in life e.g.
- poor unfulfilling and abusive relationships
- persistent criticism and sense of failure
negative thinking styles affect how the individiual sees themselves, the world and their future (cognitive triad)
their cognitive distortions affect how they interpret situations
cognitive distortions
polar reasoning ‘all or nothing’ - unless everything is absolutely perfect it is considered a failure e.g. a student achieving an A instead of an A* feels worthless as a result
selective abstraction - ignoring good stuff, focusing on small negative things that are interpreted negatively. success is ignored and only failure is recalled. e.g. student gets 8 A’s and a D and they focus on the D grade which is magnified in their mind
over generalisation - one tiny aspect of an experience is extrapolated from in order to form a belief about what happened e.g. failure of the whole course is inevitable
ellis’ ABC model
Rational thinking allows us to be happy and free of psychological pain. Depression is caused by irrational thinking
Proposed ABC 3 stage model to explain how irrational thinking could lead to depression
Activating event - irrational thoughts are triggered by situation (failing an exam, ending a relationship)
Beliefs - about the event. negative thinking and distorted cause depression (I/things must be perfect otherwise it’s a major disaster)
Consequences - Irrational thinking leads to emotional and behavioural reponses to beliefs. (failing an exam = withdrawal, feeling worthless)
non-bio exp depression - supporting evidence
E: Evans (2005) measured self-beliefs of 12,003 women, 18 weeks pregnant. Women with negative self-beliefs were more likely to become depressed than those with positive self-beliefs, even after 3yrs, suggesting negative self-belief is a risk factor for depression in women.
therefore valid explanation
non-bio exp depression - contradicting evidence
E: Brown (2007) suggests there is little evidence that negative thinking causes depression, instead it might be a symptom, so faulty cognition is a result of neurotransmitter functioning rather than being a cause of it.
therefore less valid
non-bio exp depression - supported by evidence gathered directly from pps with depression
P supported by evidence gathered directly from pps with depression
E: D’Alessandro (2002) found students who did not get into their first choice of college then doubted their futures and showed symptoms of depression (cognitive distortion and a negative belief about the future)
therefore valid
non-bio exp depression - low scientific status
E: Research relies on self-report data, which although enables in-depth data about thoughts, emotions and behaviours to be gathered directly from the individual experiencing depression, there are issues with validity (social desirability bias and researcher bias).
therefore less valid
non-bio exp depression - application
E: Kuyken (2007) found CBT was effective in reducing symptoms of depression, suggesting there is construct validity to the cognitive explanation because CBT challenges cognitive distortions and irrational beliefs.
therefore useful in improving quality of life
non-bio exp depression - contradicting evidence about effectiveness of treatment
E: Chan (2006) found that drug therapy could be more useful in addition to CBT and a combination was more effective than just using CBT
non-bio exp depression - standardised measurement of depression has been created based on cognitive explanation
P: Standardised measurement of depression has been created based on cognitive explanation
E: Beck’s Depression Inventory (BDI) measures hopelessness, irritability, feelings of guilt and physical symptoms; fatigue, weight loss/gain. 21 multiple choice ques, giving an overall score out of 63.
therefore standardised and replicable
non-bio exp - reductionist
E: Beck’s and Ellis’ thoeries reduce the complex experience of depression down to irrational beliefs, cognitive distortions and negative self-schemas. Placing the cause of depression on the individual’s internal thoughts, ignoring neurotransmitters or socioeconomic factors (poverty).
therefore less valid
