The cogitive approach to explaining depression

Question 1

Describe Beck’s theory of cognitive vulnerability

Answer 1

Faulty information processing= over focus on negative, dismiss positive

Negative self-schema= interpret info about oneself negatively

Negative triad= negative views about self-> negative views about future-> negative views about world

Question 2

Describe Ellis’s ABC model

Answer 2

A. Activating event
e.g failing an important test

B. Beliefs
e.g it is a major disaster

C. Consequences
failing may trigger depression if a person believes they must always succeed

Negative event (A) -> Irrational belief (B) -> Unhealthy Negative emotion (C)

Question 3

Supporting evidence for the cognitive approach to explaining depression

Answer 3

Cohen et al
473 adolescents who were regularly measured for cognitive vulnerability

Findings:
Showing cognitive vulnerability,Ned ability predicted later depression , supporting the idea that an individual’s way of thinking may predispose a person to becoming depressed

Question 4

Criticisms of this supporting evidence (-)

Answer 4

Cohens research involve 473 adolescents, meaning we cannot generalise findings from a sample of teenagers to explain depression in all age groups

In older adults, there may be differences in hormone levels, therefore cognitive vulnerability may differ

Not generalisable

Question 5

Opposing theories to the cognitive approach (-)

Answer 5

The biological explanation suggests depression is caused by an imbalance of neurotransmitters

Question 6

Is this reductionistic? (-)

Answer 6

Yes, it doesn’t explain why people develop depression without a triggering event, this is only a partial explanation and doesn’t account for “endogenous” depression