Psychopathology - Depression (Cognitive) Flashcards
Intro to cognitive explanations
Focus on mental processes
Include thoughts, perceptions, attention and memory
1. Becks cognitive triad theory
2. Ellis’s ABC model
Beck’s cognitive triad theory: Part 1
Three part explanation for depression
Part 1: Negative self-schemas
Organised units of knowledge about oneself
Developed through childhood exper
Often result from criticism or rejection
Beck’s cognitive triad theory: Part 2
Part 2: Cognitive biases
Exaggerated or irrational thought patterns
- Over-generalising: Making sweeping conclusions
- Catastrophising: Exaggerating minor incidents
Beck’s cognitive triad theory: Part 3
Part 3: The negative triad
Negative and irrational views of:
1. Self
2. World
3. Future
Eeyore from Winnie the Pooh:
Negative self view: “No better from this side”
Negative world-view: “nobody minds, nobody cares”
Ellis’s ABC model overview
Focuses on rationality and good mental health
A: Activating event
B: Beliefs
C: Consequences
Ellis’s ABC model: activating event and beliefs
A: activating event - unread message
B: beliefs - interpretation of the event
Rational: “They’re busy and can’t reply now”
Irrational: “They’re ignoring me; they don’t like me”
Ellis’s ABC model: consequences
C: concequences - emotional and behavioural outcomes
Rational beliefs lead to healthy emotions
Irrational beliefs lead to unhealthy emotions - depression symptoms
Lowered mood
Loneliness
Low self-esteem
Supporting evidence + applications
Research supports cognitive explanations across cultures
Practical application: CBT
Based on Ellis’s ABC model
Challenges irrational thoughts
Widely used in the NHS for depression treatment
Limitations and alternative explanations for cognitive
May “blame the patient” rather than situation
Alternative explanation: biological factors - serotonin levels
Depression likely involves multiple factors
