The Cognitive Approach To Explaining Depression Flashcards
Outline Becks negative triad in explaining depression
-Beck took cognitive approach (how our mental processes affect behaviour) to try explain why some ppl more vulnerable to depression than others
-3 parts suggested to create cognitive vulnerability
What are the 3 parts to Becks theory that increase cognitive vulnerability
- Faulty information processing
- Negative self schema
- The negative triad
What is faulty information processing
-Pay attention to -ve aspects + ignore the +ves
-blow small problems out of proportion
-think in black/white terms
Whats meant by -ve self schema
(Schema=package of ideas acquired thru experience)
-self-schema - info ppl have about themselves
-schema used to interpret the world, so if have -ve self schema, interpret ourselves -vely
Whats meant by the negative triad
- beck suggested someone develops dysfunctional view of themselves due to 3 types of -ve thinking
-Negative view of world : impression there’s no hope anywhere
-Negative view of future: reduced hopefulness, enhances depression
-negative view of self: enhances depressive feelings as confirm existing emotions of low self-esteem
Whats a strength of Beck’s cognitive model of depression
Existence of research support
‘Cognitive vulnerability’ - ways of thinking that may predispose person to be depressed
(-Ve self schema, -ve triad, faulty processing)
Clark + Beck concluded these also preceeded depression
Confirmed by Cohen - found cognitive vuln preceded depression in 473 adolescents
Shows association between cog vuln + depression
Whats a further strength of Becks cognitive model of depression
Real world application in screening and treatment
Cohen said cog vuln allows psychologists to screen young ppl to identify those most at risk
Understanding cog vuln can also be applied in CBT
Such theories work by altering cognitions that make ppl vulnerable so can be more resistant to -ve life events
Understanding this is useful in more than 1 clinical practice
Whats a limitation of becks cognitive model of depression
Becks suggestion is at least partial
But some aspects exist of depression that aren’t well explained by cognitions
Like extreme anger, hallucinations and delusions
Outline Ellis’s suggestion to explaining depression
-Ellis suggested dif cognitive explanation
-proposed good mental health is result of rational thinking (happy)
- said anxiety / depression are result of irrational thoughts
-Defined this X as illogical/unrealistic but as thoughts interfering w/ happiness
-Ellis used ABC model to explain how irrational thoughts affect behaviour / emotional state
What is Ellis’s ABC model of depression
A-Activating event: he focused on irrational thoughts triggered by external evens . He says we become depressed when we have -ve event and this triggers irrational beliefs
B-Beliefs : he identified a range of irrational beliefs . Belief we always must succeed or achieve perfection ‘musturbation’
‘I-cant-stand-it-itis’ - belief its major disaster if something doesn’t go smoothly
C-consequences : when an activating event triggers beliefs there are emotional/behavioural consequences
Whats a strength of Ellis ABC model of depression
Real world application in psychological treatment of depression
Ellis approach to cognitive therapy is rational emotive behaviour therapy (REBT)
This works by vigorously arguing w depressed person , so therapist can alter beliefs
Evidence to support idea that REBT can both change -ve beliefs and relieve symptoms of depression (David et al)
REBT has real world value
Whats a limitation of Ellis ABC model of depression
Only explains reactive depression + X endogenous
Seems X doubt depression often triggered by life events (A-activating depression) - reactive
Many cases of depression = not traceable to life events + is no obvious what leads to someone being depressed (endogenous)
Ellis abc model less useful for this depression
Only partial explanation
Whats a further limitation of Ellis abc model
Ethical issues/controversial
Locates responsibility for depression purely w depressed person
Blame
But used appropriately REBT in ABC model does appear to lessen depression
