Psycholgical Explanstions

Question 1

Who developed the cognitive theory of depression?

Answer 1

Dr Aaron Beck

Beck’s cognitive theory was introduced in 1962.

Question 2

What are the three areas of negative beliefs in Beck’s cognitive theory?

Answer 2

• Negative beliefs about the self
• Negative beliefs about the world
• Negative beliefs about the future

Question 3

What is the negative cognitive triad?

Answer 3

The combination of negative beliefs about the self, the world, and the future.

Question 4

What types of experiences can contribute to the development of negative core beliefs?

Answer 4

• Criticism
• Rejection
• Neglect
• Abuse
• Bullying
• Bereavement
• Overprotective parenting

Question 5

How do negative core beliefs affect information processing later in life?

Answer 5

They lead individuals to filter out evidence that contradicts their beliefs and focus on confirming evidence.

Question 6

What is an example of how negative beliefs distort perception?

Answer 6

‘I only got a good grade because my teacher felt sorry for me!’

Question 7

What are cognitive biases according to Beck?

Answer 7

Faulty thinking patterns that can increase the risk of depression.

Question 8

True or False: Cognitive biases affect everyone equally.

Answer 8

False

People vulnerable to depression tend to use cognitive biases consistently.

Question 9

Fill in the blank: The more negative thoughts a person has, the ______ their symptoms.

Answer 9

worse

Question 10

What can exaggerate the importance of negative information?

Answer 10

Negative core beliefs.

Question 11

What is the impact of evidence that contradicts negative beliefs?

Answer 11

It is minimized.

Question 12

What is dichotomous thinking?

Answer 12

Classifying events into two categories with no middle ground, such as success and failure.

Also known as ‘black or white thinking.’

Question 13

Define arbitrary inferences.

Answer 13

Drawing negative conclusions without sufficient supporting evidence.

This can involve assumptions about others’ thoughts (‘mind reading’) and future outcomes (‘fortune telling’).

Question 14

What is catastrophising?

Answer 14

When something relatively insignificant triggers overwhelming anxiety about worst-case scenarios.

For example, worrying excessively about having skin cancer after noticing a freckle.

Question 15

What does personalisation refer to in faulty thinking?

Answer 15

Taking the blame for negative outcomes while failing to acknowledge situational factors.

An example is believing one was made redundant due to personal inadequacies rather than company issues.

Question 16

What is learned helplessness in the context of depression?

Answer 16

A learned response to a negative experience that can lead to feelings of helplessness.

Proposed by Seligman based on experiments with dogs.

Question 17

What was the key finding of Seligman’s dog experiment?

Answer 17

Experimental dogs did not attempt to escape an electric shock even when they could easily do so, unlike a control group.

This demonstrated learned helplessness.

Question 18

Fill in the blank: Catastrophising leads to overwhelming anxiety about _______.

Answer 18

[worst-case scenarios]

Question 19

True or False: Arbitrary inferences can lead to over-generalising.

Answer 19

True

An example of over-generalising is thinking one is unemployable after not being offered a job.

Question 20

What does the term ‘blaming myself’ indicate in faulty thinking?

Answer 20

Assigning personal blame for negative outcomes without considering external factors.