Strengths of the cognitive approach

Question 1

Name a strength of the cognitive approach

Answer 1

It has real world applications as both Albert and Beck’s theories have formed the concept of CBT
CBT is considered the best approach for treating depression especially when used in conjunction with other therapies
The effectiveness of treatment suggests the underlying cognitive theories are valid.

Question 2

Name a second strength of the cognitive approac

Answer 2

There is supporting evidence for the role of irrational thinking
Hammen and Krantz in 1986 found that depressed participants made more errors in logic when asked to interpret written material rather than non depressed participants
Bates et al in 1999 found that depressed participants who were give automatic negative statements became more depressed
This supports the idea that negative beliefs may develop depression

Question 3

Name an evaluation point about the cognitive approach

Answer 3

Irrational beliefs may be realistic
It could be argued that negative cognitions are a more realistic perception of the world, this is called depressive realism
Alloy and Abramson in 1979 found that depressive realist gave a more accurate estimates of disaster than normal and called this the ‘sadder but wiser effect’
This questions whether irrational thoughts are indeed irrational and thus raise questions about the value of the cognitive approach

Question 4

Name a disadvantage of the cognitive approach

Answer 4

It blames the client rather than situational factors
Placing emphasises that the client has control to change their thinking process it advantageous but it has limitations such as leading the therapist to overlook the client’s situational factors such as life events or family troubles
Although the strength of this approach lies in its focus of the client’s ability to change how the brain perceives information, situational factors should be considered

Question 5

Name a final evaluation point

Answer 5

There are alternative explanations such as a biological explanation
Research supports the role of low levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin in depression and has also found that a gene related to this is 10 times more common in people with depression (zhang et al in 2005). The success of drug therapies in treating people with depression suggest that neurotransmitters do play a role in depression