outline and evaluate the cognitive approach in explaining depression

Question 1

outline 1

Answer 1

As the cognitive approach assumes all behaviour is determined by thoughts, a type of thinking involved is schemas (cognitive representations of a person, place or situation) which help us organise and interpret information and make short-cuts when interpreting large amounts of information.

The type of schema a person develops is based on their prior experiences e.g., a person may develop a negative self-schema (cognitive representation of self) after being told by others they are unattractive, unintelligent or useless.

According to beck’s negative triad, those with a negative self-schema also experience automatic negative thoughts (e.g. negative views about self, world and future) and negative cognitive biases (e.g. where they are biased to thinking negatively about every experience and minimise their success in life).

Both mental processes affect behaviour, as a negative self-schema may be correlated with depression, isolation and withdrawal from society.

Question 2

outline 2

Answer 2

As the Cognitive approach assumes that behaviour is determined by thoughts, Ellis predicts that depression is caused by negative and irrational thoughts.

Ellis proposed that rational beliefs lead to healthy emotions and behaviours whereas irrational beliefs lead to unhealthy emotions and maladaptive behaviours.

Using an ABC model, where ‘A’ is the activating event, ‘B’ is the belief and ‘C’ is the consequence, Ellis was able to make links between beliefs and the development of depression.

It is important to remember that it is not the activating event itself that causes depression, it is the irrational belief about the event that causes depression.

Question 3

strength

Answer 3

One strength of the cognitive explanation is that there is supporting research evidence for depression being linked with irrational thinking.

Hammen and Krantz (1976), who found that depressed participants made greater errors in logic when asked to interpret written material compared to non-depressed participants.

This supports the view that irrational thinking leads to the development of depression, as the cognitive approach would predict.

Question 4

strength 2

Answer 4

A strength of the Cognitive approach is that it has additional supporting research evidence.

This is because research has shown that ANTs and Negative Cognitive Biases are apparent in a range of disorders.

For example, Beck analysed interviews with depressed people and found that views about the self, world and future are at the centre of their concerns.

This suggests that changing people’s views on the self, world and future can significantly reduce depression.

Question 5

strength 3

Answer 5

An additional strength of the cognitive explanation for depression is that it has far-reaching practical applications.

This is because the fundamental principles behind the cognitive approach has led to the development of successful therapies.

For example, David et al., (2018) suggests CBT (which aims to challenge patient’s irrational cognitive processes) is the most effective treatment for depression.

The success of CBT supports the cognitive approach; as irrational thoughts clearly play a role in depression.

Question 6

limit

Answer 6

A limitation of the cognitive explanation for depression is that alternative explanations have been offered.

This is because some researchers suggest genetic factors and faulty neurotransmitters lead to depression, rather than irrational thought processes.

For example, a gene related to lower levels of serotonin is 10x more common in depressed people and treatments that raise serotonin levels are successful in the treatment of depression.

This suggests that some people may have a biological predisposition to depression rather than faulty cognitions, challenging the cognitive explanation.