Psychopathology - the cognitive approach to explaining depression

Question 1

What do cognitive theories of depression state that it is?

Answer 1

They link it to faulty or irrational thinking

Question 2

What is Beck’s (1967) negative triad?

Answer 2

He argued we form negative schemas in childhood which provide a negative framework for interpreting future events pessimistically

Question 3

Beck states depression is due to what type of thinking?

Answer 3

Faulty thinking

Question 4

Outline two examples of faulty thinking?

Answer 4

• Overgeneralisation = making sweeping conclusions based on a single event (receiving one bad test result and thinking you’re a failure)
• Absolutist thinking = ‘all-or-nothing’ approach to viewing the world (believing something is perfect or awful with no in-between)

Question 5

What is a schema?

Answer 5

A mental representation of knowledge which helps us interpret the world

Question 6

What does Beck argue about the schemas of people with depression?

Answer 6

They form negative schemas about themselves, the world and the future

Question 7

What are the three views of the negative triad?

Answer 7

• Negative views about the world = create the impression there’s no hope anywhere
• Negative views about the future = furthers hopelessness and worsens depression
• Negative views about oneself = enhances depressive feelings, confirms low self-esteem

Question 8

What is Ellis’ (1962) ABC model?

Answer 8

Explains how people can react differently to negative events which cause stress and adversity (can lead to depression)

Question 9

Ellis states depression is due to what type of thinking?

Answer 9

Irrational thinking
(rational thinking is a cause of good mental health and poor mental health is caused by irrational thinking)

Question 10

What is an activating event?

Answer 10

A - the adversity or event to which there’s a reaction

Question 11

What types of beliefs do patients with depression have?

Answer 11

B - belief or explanation about why the situation occurred
can be rational/irrational
sufferers have irrational beliefs

Question 12

What is mustabatory thinking?

Answer 12

Ellis argues the source of irrational beliefs lies in this thinking (thinking that certain assumptions must be true in order for an individual to be happy). 3 most important irrational beliefs:
- I must be approved of or accepted by people I find important
- I must do well or very well, or I am worthless
- The world must give me happiness, or I will die

Question 13

What are the consequences?

Answer 13

The feelings and behaviour the belief now causes. In essence, the external event is ‘blamed’ for the unhappiness being experienced