Seligman Et Al Flashcards
What was the main aim of Seligman et al. (1988)?
To replicate research showing a positive correlation between depressive attributional style and severity of depressive symptoms
The research focused on how individuals attribute negative events and its relation to depression severity.
How many patients participated in the Seligman et al. (1988) study?
Fifty-one patients
The sample included 39 unipolar and 12 bipolar patients.
What tools were used to measure depressive symptoms in the study?
Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and Attributional Style Questionnaire (ASQ)
ASQ involved making attributions about 12 hypothetical events.
What was the duration of cognitive therapy in the study?
Six months
Patients attended weekly therapy sessions during this period.
What correlation was found in the results of the study?
Positive correlation between depressive attributions for negative events and severity of depressive symptoms
This correlation held true before and after therapy and at follow-up assessments.
How did the scores of pessimism in the non-depressed group compare to the depressed group?
Scores were lower for pessimism in the non-depressed control group
This suggests that depressive attributional styles are less prevalent in non-depressed individuals.
What relationship was observed between therapy and changes in depressive symptoms?
The greater the decrease in pessimism in therapy, the greater the improvement in depressive symptoms
This indicates that cognitive changes can lead to symptom relief.
What was a key finding regarding the stability of explanatory/attributional style?
Explanatory/attributional style was fairly stable over time in the control group
This suggests that pessimism may be a trait rather than a temporary state influenced by mood.
Did the study find a significant difference in pessimism between unipolar and bipolar disorder?
No significant difference in pessimism scores was found
The average number of therapy sessions was 22.5.
What was linked to the risk of relapse at 12 months?
Pessimism scores at the end of therapy
This indicates that even patients who benefited from therapy could be at risk of relapse based on their attributional style.
True or False: The study concluded that people with depression favor external, specific, and unstable attributions of negative events.
False
People with depression tend to favor internal, global, and stable attributions of negative events.
Fill in the blank: People with both unipolar and bipolar disorder share a cognitive attributional style which favors _______ attributions of negative events.
internal, global, and stable
This cognitive style is distinct from that of non-depressed individuals.
What was the average number of therapy sessions attended?
22.5 sessions
What method was used for the initial data collection?
Interview using the Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia (SADS)
How many participants were reassessed within a month of their last therapy session?
32 participants
