Psychopathology 4 | The cognitive approach to explaining and treating depression Flashcards
AO1 What does the cognitive approach propose about the cause of depression
The cognitive approach suggests that depression is caused by faulty and irrational thinking patterns which lead to negative emotions and behaviours
AO1 What is Beck’s negative triad
Beck’s negative triad explains depression through three types of negative thinking negative views about the self the world and the future
AO1 What are cognitive biases in Beck’s theory
Cognitive biases are faulty ways of thinking such as overgeneralisation and catastrophising that contribute to and maintain depressive thoughts
AO1 What are negative self-schemas in Beck’s theory
Negative self-schemas are deeply held negative beliefs about the self that develop during childhood and make individuals more prone to depression
AO1 What is Ellis’s ABC model
Ellis proposed that depression is caused by irrational beliefs triggered by an activating event A which leads to a belief B and then an emotional consequence C such as depression
AO1 What are irrational beliefs according to Ellis
Irrational beliefs are unrealistic and illogical thoughts that prevent a person from being happy and can lead to depression
AO1 What is the aim of cognitive behavioural therapy CBT
CBT aims to identify challenge and change irrational or negative thoughts and replace them with more rational and positive alternatives
AO1 How is Beck’s theory used in CBT
Cognitive therapy based on Beck’s model involves identifying the negative triad and using thought diaries and reality testing to challenge these beliefs
AO1 How is Ellis’s theory used in CBT
Rational emotive behaviour therapy based on Ellis’s model focuses on identifying and disputing irrational beliefs using techniques such as logical empirical and pragmatic dispute
AO3 What is a strength of Beck’s theory regarding evidence
A strength is that there is supporting evidence such as studies showing that cognitive vulnerability predicts later depression supporting Beck’s idea that negative thinking comes first
AO3 What is a limitation of the cognitive approach’s explanation of depression
A limitation is that it does not explain all aspects of depression such as anger hallucinations or physical symptoms suggesting it is incomplete
AO3 How does CBT support the cognitive explanation
A strength is that CBT based on cognitive models is effective at treating depression suggesting that faulty thinking is involved in the disorder
AO3 What is the issue with causality in cognitive explanations
A limitation is that it is unclear whether negative thoughts cause depression or are a symptom of it weakening the direction of causality assumed by the theory
AO3 What is a limitation of Ellis’s ABC model
A limitation is that it assumes all depression is caused by irrational beliefs and ignores biological or other factors so may not apply to all types of depression
