PS7. Cognitive Approach to Explaining Depression

Question 1

Beck’s Theory

Answer 1

Cognitive vulnerability to Depression through:
- faulty information processing
- negative self-schemas
- cognitive triad of automatic negative thoughts

Question 2

Faulty Information Processing

Answer 2

patient blows small issues out of proportion, dwelling on the negatives and thinking in ‘black and white’

Question 3

Negative Self-Schemas

Answer 3

patient interprets all information about themselves in a negative light, further lowering self-confidence

Question 4

Cognitive Triad

Answer 4

patient suffers from negative automatic thoughts about the self, the future, and the world

Question 5

+Eval: BEC: Grazioli and Terry

Answer 5

• 65 pregnant women assessed for cognitive vulnerability and depression, before and after birth
• found positive correlation between cognitive vulnerability and the likelihood of acquiring depression after childbirth
• supports faulty cognition/depression link; therefore increasing validity of Beck’s theory

Question 6

+ Eval: BEC: Development of Treatments

Answer 6

• increased understanding = more effective treatments
• e.g. elements of negative triad can be easily identified by therapist, and challenged by therapist
• thus, translating to successful method of therapy

Question 7

Ellis’ ABC Model

Answer 7

• (A) Activating Event
• (B) Belief [Irrational]
• (C) Consequence [Emotional]

Question 8

• Eval: ABC: Limited Explanation

Answer 8

• cannot explain all types of depression, apart from those which clearly have an activating event (e.g. reactive depression)
• however, some suffer from depression without an apparent cause, and may feel that this model doesn’t reflect their concerns/experiences

Question 9

• Eval: BOTH: Can’t explain all aspects of depression

Answer 9

• e.g. hallucinations, anger, Cotard Syndrome