Unipolar depression: One non-biological explanation (Cognitive explanation)

Question 1

what is 1 non biological explanation of depression

Answer 1

the cognitive explanation

Question 2

what are the 2 main ideas of the cognitive explation of depression

Answer 2

Ellis’ ABC theory and Beck’s cognitive explanation

Question 3

Becks cognitive explanation: What aspect of the brain did Beck focus on, and why?

Answer 3

Faulty cognitions, as irrational thinking is one symptom for depression, he belived it may have been the root of it.

Question 4

Becks cognitive explanation: What did he develop?

Answer 4

The negative cognitive triad

Question 5

Becks cognitive explanation: What is the negative cognitive triad

Answer 5

Pessimistic thoughts about the future, the self, and the world.

Question 6

Becks cognitive explanation: What did Beck say the negative cognitive triad came from?

Answer 6

Neglect or unrealistic expectations from childhood.

Question 7

Becks cognitive explanation: Explain further the 3 cognitive errors that came in the negative cognitive triad

Answer 7

The self - depressed people think they are worthless

The future - depressed people have negative views of the future, for instance they may think they will never have kids

The World - depressed people view the world around them in negative ways

Question 8

Ellis’ ABC theory: What does ABC stand for in this theory

Answer 8

A - activating event
B - beliefs
C - consequences

Question 9

Ellis’ ABC theory: what is ‘activating event’ + example

Answer 9

event that triggers irrational thoughts leading to depression

example: the end of a relationship

Question 10

Ellis’ ABC theory: what is ‘beliefs’, how do they link to ‘activating event’ and give exmaples of some beliefs Ellis’ thought of

Answer 10

it is the persons beliefs about the event that cause depression, not event itself.

Musterbation - ‘i must be successful, i must be the most attractive’

Utopianism - Belief that life should always be fair

Question 11

Ellis’ ABC theory: what are ‘consequences’, how does this link to ‘beliefs’ and give an example

Answer 11

These irrational beliefs have consequences

example: if a person beliefs life should always be fair, they may develop depression if things dont go their way.

Question 12

What is a strength of Beck’s theory?

Answer 12

Research evidence supports his ideas

Question 13

Strength of Becks theory: describe the research evidence

Answer 13

Studt on 12,000 women who were 18 weeks pregnant reported their self belief.

Question 14

Strength of Becks theory: what was the results of the research

Answer 14

women who had negative self belief were more likely to become depressed than women with positive self belief.

Question 15

Strength of Beck’s theory: what did the results show

Answer 15

showed that a negative schema is a risk factor for depression in women.

Question 16

What is a competing argument to the research evidence supporting Beck’s theory.

Answer 16

Studies didn’t support this causation. They showed having negative schemas during depression episode turned into positive schemas after episode.

Implying negative schemas acsompany depression but do not cause it.

Question 17

What is a strength of the application of Becks and Ellis’ theories.

Answer 17

Their ideas can be used to challenge irrational thinking and improve symptoms.

Question 18

Strength of application: How can these ideas challenge irrational thinking

Answer 18

Beck’s CBT can target and identify the 3 triads and challenge the client to see if these beliefs are true.

Question 19

Strength of application: What is implied by the fact cognitive techniques are good way of treating depression

Answer 19

That depression stems from faulty information processing.

Question 20

What is a weakness of Beck’s and Ellis’ theories

Answer 20

it doesn’t account for all aspects of depression

Question 21

Weakness of Beck and Ellis’ theories: How doesn’t it account for all aspects

Answer 21

Their explanations of cognitive triads and irrational thougths can’t explain the more serious symptoms of depression like hallucination

Question 22

Weakness of Beck and Ellis’ theories: What does this mean their ideas are?

Answer 22

reductionist.