3. The Cognitive Approach to Depression

Question 1

Simple overview of cognitive explanation of depression

Answer 1

Rests on the idea that disorders happen bc of faulty thinking

Question 2

What does the cognitive approach assume

Answer 2

Assumes that behaviours are controlled by thoughts & beliefs. So irrational thoughts & beliefs cause ABNORMAL BEHAVIOUR.

Question 3

Models that explain how faulty cognition can lead to depression

Answer 3

• Ellis’s ABC model
• Beck’s negative triad

Question 4

What did Ellis (1962) do

Answer 4

Proposed the ‘ABC model’

Question 5

What is Ellis’s ABC model

Answer 5

• Model claims that disorders being w an activating event (A) (eg. failed exam), leading to a belief (B) abt why this happened.
• This may be rational (eg. ‘I didn’t prepare well enough’) OR irrational (eg. ‘im too stupid to pass exams’).
• The belief leads to a consequence (C). Rational beliefs produce adaptive (appropriate) consequences (eg. more revision). Irrational beliefs produce maladaptive (inappropriate) consequences (eg. depression).

Question 6

See pg46 for diagram of Ellis’s ABC model

Question 7

What did Beck (1963) do

Answer 7

‘negative triad’

Question 8

What is Beck’s negative triad

Answer 8

Beck (1963) identified a ‘negative triad’ of automatic thoughts linked to depression - negative views abt:
1. themselves (eg. that they cant succeed at anything)
2. the world (eg. that they must be successful to be a good person)
3. the future (eg. that nothing will change)

Question 9

See pg46 for diagram of Beck’s negative triad

Question 10

Evaluation of the Cognitive explanation of depression: STRENGTHS

Answer 10

1. Hollon & Kendall (1980) developed the Automatic Thoughts Questionnaire (ATQ) to measure the negative thinking associated w depression. Harrell & Ryon (1983) used the ATQ to compare negative thinking in 114 depressed & non-depressed P’s. The depressed P’s scored higher (more negative thinking) than other groups, supporting a correlation between negative thinking & depression.
2. Cognitive therapies have often successfully treated depression.

Question 11

Evaluation of the Cognitive explanation of depression: WEAKNESSES

Answer 11

1. Faulty cognitions may simply be the consequence of depression rather than its cause. For eg, depression may be caused by a chemical imbalance in brain, which causes ppl to think very negatively.
2. The person could begin to feel like they are to blame for their problems.

Question 12

What is CBT

Answer 12

Cognitive behaviour therapy

Question 13

What does CBT do

Answer 13

• CBT aims to identify & change the patient’s faulty cognitions.
• The idea is that patients learn how to notice negative thoughts when they have them, & test how accurate they are.

Question 14

Method of CBT

Answer 14

1. Therapist & client identify client’s faulty cognitions (thoughts/beliefs)
2. Therapist tries to help client see that these arent true
3. Tg, they set goals to think in more positive/adaptive ways
4. Treatment mainly focuses on the present situation (rather than focus on past)
5. Therapist sometimes encourages client to keep diary - record thought patterns, feelings & actions

Question 15

Advantages of CBT

Answer 15

1. Empowers patients - puts them in charge of their own treatment by teaching them self-help strategies. So fewer ethical issues than w others like drug therapy.
2. DeRubeis et al (2005) compared CBT & drug therapy as depression treatments in a placebo-controlled trial. Both treatments were more effective than placebo after 8 weeks.
   Hollo et al (2005) compared P’s from DeRubeis study after there were withdrawn from CBT & drug treatment. P’s withdrawn from CBT were significantly less likely than patients withdrawn from drug treatment to have relapsed after 1yr.
3. Brandsma et al (1978) found that CBT is particularly effective for ppl who put a lot of pressure on themselves & feel guilty abt being inadequate/

Question 16

Disadvantages of CBT

Answer 16

1. Cognitive therapies may take a long time & be costly. May be more effective when combined w other approaches (eg. drug therapy)
2. As DeRubeis et al (2005) found, CBT may only be effective if the therapist is experienced. Patients whose therapists are still gaining the experience may be better off w drug therapy.
3. Client may begin to feel like they are to blame for their problems.

Question 17

CBT effect on economy

Answer 17

• CBT might be expensive initially, but if it reduces relapse then it may cost less overall.
• Also, if ppl need less time off work & are able to contribute more to society, its better for the economy in the long run.