Psychopathology - 04 The Cognitive Approach To Explaining and Treating Phobias

Question 1

What does the cognitive approach focus on in depression?

Answer 1

-the role of cognitive processes
-distorted and irrational thinking

Question 2

What 3 things make up Beck’s cognitive theory to explaining depression?

Answer 2

1-cognitive bias
2-negative self-schemas
3-the negative triad

Question 3

What does Beck mean by cognitive bias?

Answer 3

-found that depressed people more likely focus on negatives
-prone to distorting/misinterpreting information (cognitive bias)

Question 4

What are 2 examples of cognitive bias?

Answer 4

-over-generalisation- make sweeping conclusions based on single incident
-catastrophising- exaggerate a minor setback and believe it is a disaster

Question 5

What does Beck mean by negative self-schemas?

Answer 5

-schema is package of knowledge developed during childhood
-a person with a negative self-schema is likely to interpret information about themselves in a negative way which could lead to cognitive biases

Question 6

What does Beck mean by the negative triad?

Answer 6

-cognitive biases and negative self-schemas maintain the negative triad and irrational views of ourselves, our future and the world around us
-for people with depression this occurs automatically

Question 7

How was Ellis’ model for explaining depression different from Becks’?

Answer 7

Started by explaining what is required for good mental health

Question 8

What is good mental health defined as?

Answer 8

Rational thinking, ways of thinking that allows someone to be happy and free from pain

Question 9

What does Ellis’ ABC model say about the explanations of depression?

Answer 9

-it explains how irrational thinking/thoughts can lead to the development of depression

Question 10

What does the ABC model stand for?

Answer 10

Activating event
Beliefs
Consequences

Question 11

Weakness of the cognitive approach to explaining depression (blames the client)

Answer 11

-suggests that the client is responsible for their disorder as it is a result of their negative and irrational thinking
-can be a good as motivates client to change thinking as they are in control
-BUT clients may overlook factors in life which have contributed like family problems

Question 12

Strength of the cognitive approach to explaining depression (CBT)

Answer 12

-forms the basis of treatment (CBT)
-Beck’s negative triad can be identified and challenged in CBT
-Ellis’ theory can be used in CBT by challenging irrational/negative beliefs
-So theories have real world use and can help improve quality of life and society

Question 13

Weakness of the cognitive approach to explaining depression (too simplistic)

Answer 13

-Depression complex disorder
-some patients are angry Beck cannot easily explain extreme emotion
-some experience hallucinations
-may prevent people from getting help as theories cannot be generalised to everyone with depression

Question 14

weakness of the cognitive approach to explaining depression (ignores biology)

Answer 14

-low levels of neurotransmitter serotonin and genetic factors linked to cause of depression
-drug therapy successful in treating it suggesting neurotransmitters do play part
-holistic or interactionist approach should be used to combine factors of both

Question 15

weakness of the cognitive approach to explaining depression (different types of depression)

Answer 15

-some cases of depression follow an activating event like Ellis says (reactive depression)
-some depression arises without an obvious cause
-so it is limited as it doesn’t provide explanation for all kind of depression

Question 16

What did Beck develop for treating depression?

Answer 16

Cognitive behavioural therapy

Question 17

What is CBT based on?

Answer 17

Beck’s negative triad

Question 18

What is the aim of CBT?

Answer 18

-help client identify their negative/irrational thoughts and replace them with more positive and rational ways of thinking

Question 19

What does CBT consist of?

Answer 19

about 20 sessions over about 16 weeks with homework between sessions

Question 20

How many stages of CBT are there?

Answer 20

4

Question 21

What is stage 1 of CBT?

Answer 21

-behavioural activation
-identify pleasurable activities and to overcome obstacles in carrying them out

Question 22

What is stage 2 of CBT?

Answer 22

-recognise the negative thoughts, record them in diary and bring them to weekly sessions
-therapist helps them to test reality of their thoughts and challenge negative thinking

Question 23

What is stage 3 of CBT?

Answer 23

-therapist helps client to recognise underlying illogical thinking processes that produce negative thinking

Question 24

What is stage 4 of CBT?

Answer 24

-therapist helps client change maladaptive attitudes, often by asking them to test them out in the real world (homework tasks)

Question 25

What does Ellis’s rational emotive behavioural therapy (REBT) do to the ABC model?

Answer 25

extends it to make it an BCDE model

Question 26

What two things did Ellis identify as ways of disputing irrational thoughts?

Answer 26

Empirical argument
Logical argument

Question 26

What does the D and the E stand for in the ABCDE model?

Answer 26

D-dispute challenges
E-effect is new rational beliefs

Question 27

What does the empirical argument involve?

Answer 27

disputing whether there is actual evidence to support the negative belief
“where is the evidence that your beliefs are true?”

Question 27

What does the logical argument involve?

Answer 27

disputing whether negative thoughts logically follow from the facts
“does the way you think about that situation make any sense?”

Question 28

What does homework involve in REBT?

Answer 28

the patient identifies their own irrational beliefs and then disputes them

Question 29

Effectiveness of CBT

Answer 29

-March et al found CBT was equally as effective as antidepressants
-After 36 weeks 81% of both CBT and antidepressant group had improved
-BUT 86% of CBT and antidepressant group had improved suggesting combination is most effective

Question 30

Suitability of CBT

Answer 30

-individual differences, some people positive, others refuse to engage
-Also fails to acknowledge may be due to biological factors, so CBT will not work for some people due to the role of biology

Question 31

Conflicting evidence of CBT

Answer 31

-has high relapse rate so there are concerns as to how long the benefits of CBT last
-March et al also found 19% not helped by CBT

Question 32

Alternative treatments of CBT

Answer 32

-antidepressant drugs
-despite being equally as effective as CBT it is easier, quicker, cheaper and more discrete

Question 33

Practical issues of CBT

Answer 33

TIME- 16 weeks so very distressed or suicidal patient get more help in short term from drug therapy
COST- free on NHS but is waiting list, private cost £40-100 per session

Question 34

Ethical issues of CBT

Answer 34

-Can be therapist centred, can give therapist power and client can become too dependant on the therapist
-Can be seen as blaming client as it focuses on their irrational thoughts