psychopathology Depression COGNTIVE EXPL

Question 1

HAMBURGER, LIMITATION, NOT ALL DEPRESSION HAS AN ACTUVATING EVENT

Answer 1

A limitation is that not all cases of depression follow an activating event.
For example, some people develop depression without there being a disaster.
This means that Ellis’ explanation only applies to some kinds of depression.
Therefore, only a partial explanation.

Question 2

DOUBLE WHOPPER, LIMITATION, ALTERNATIVE EXPLANATIONS

Answer 2

Depression can also be explained in terms of genetic factors and neurotransmitters and genetic factors.
For example, studies have found low levels of serotonin in depressed people
This suggests that the cognitive explanation for depression is not the only none and so there may be better alternatives i.e the diathesis-stress model which looks at both BIO AND COG factors

Question 3

LIMITATION, DOUBLE WHOPPER, INCOMPLETE

Answer 3

Cognitive explanations don’t explain all aspects of depression.
Some experience hallucinations and bizarre beliefs e.g Cotard syndrome where you think you’re a zombie.
Beck explains the basic symptoms but not the complex. Ellis explains why some are more vulnerable but fails to explain the anger that people feel or hallucinations etc.

Therefore, this shows that other explanations may be needed to explain the condition in full.

Question 4

STRENGTH, HAMBURGER, SUPPORTING EVIDENCE

Answer 4

There is support
Grazioli and Terry (2000) assessed 65 pregnant women for cognitive vulnerability and depression before and after birth.
Found that women judged to have had been high in cognitive vulnerability were more likely to suffer from post-natal depression.
This supports cognitive explanations that depression is due to mental processing.

Question 5

STRENGTH, DOUBLE WHOPPER,COGNTIVE APLLICATIONS

Answer 5

The cognitive approach has useful applications to treat depression.
Beck’s explanations have been applied to therapy via CBT where all cognitive aspects of the negative triad for example are identified and challenged.
This therapy has consistently been found to be the best treatment for depression.
This suggests that negative thoughts do have a role in causing depression.

Question 6

STRENGTH, HAMBURGER, ABC LED TO SUCCESS

Answer 6

The ABC model has led to successful therapy.
The idea that by challenging irrational beliefs , a person can reduce their depression is supported by evidence from Lipzky et a; (1980).
Therefore, this supports the basic theory as it suggests that irrational beliefs have some role in causing depression.