The Cognitive Approach To Explaining Depression Flashcards
What is meant by the cognitive approach?
An approach which focuses on how our mental processes affect our behaviour.
What are the 3 different parts of Beck’s negative triad?
1.faulty information processing.
2.negative self schema.
3.the negative triad.
What is meant by faulty information processing?
(beck’s negative triad)
depressed people focus on the negative aspects of a situation and ignore the positive aspects. They have a tendency to blow small problems out of proportion and think in terms of ‘black and white’- this means that they see things as either all good or all bad.
What is meant by the negative self schema?
(beck’s negative triad)
When individuals interpret all the information about themselves in a negative way, lowering their self confidence.
What is meant the negative triad?
(beck’s negative triad)
The negative triad is 3 elements:
1.negative view of the world.
2.negative view of the future.
3.negative view of the self.
What is meant by Ellis’ ABC model?
A model proposed by Ellis which suggests that the key to mental disorders is irrational beliefs.
What does A refer to in Ellis’ ABC model?
Activating an event - we get depressed when we experience a negative event which leads to irrational beliefs.
What does B refer to in Ellis’ ABC model?
Beliefs - can be irrational or rational.
- irrational beliefs lead to depression.
What does C refer to in Ellis’ ABC model?
Consequences - rational beliefs lead to healthy emotions for example, acceptance whereas irrational beliefs lead to unhealthy emotions such as sadness which develops into depression.
What is meant by musturbatory thinking?
Thinking that certain ideas or assumptions must be true in order for an individual to be happy.
What are two strengths of the cognitive approach?
- Research support.
-Grazioli and Terry - studied 65 pregnant women for cognitive vulnerability before and after birth.
found a positive correlation between an increased cognitive vulnerability and an increased likelihood of acquiring depression after giving birth.
supports link between faulty information processing and depression as, after giving birth mothers are likely to focus on the more negative aspects of the world and their life due to the dramatic drop in the hormones oestrogen and progesterone and so this will lead to more irrational thoughts.
- Real life application.
Ellis developed his own therapy called ‘rational emotive behavioural therapy’ - based on his theory.
-His therapy works by the therapist vigorously arguing with the depressed client - this aims to eliminate their irrational thoughts.
David et al found that REBT can change both negative beliefs and relieve the symptoms of depression.
This shows that Ellis’ ABC model can be used to create useful and improved therapy for those suffering with depression.
What is one limitation of the cognitive approach?
- Cannot explain all types of depression.
Ellis’ model can only explain reactive depression - depression that occurs in response to an external problem.
The ABC model cannot explain endogenous depression where an individual has an inability to experience pleasure.
Additionally, Ellis suggests that depression is caused by negative life experiences however, many cases of depression are not traceable to life events and so it is unclear what the cause of depression is.
