C5 - The cognitive approach to explaining depression

Question 1

Beck’s negative triad - Faulty information processing

Answer 1

• Some more prone to depression because of faulty information processing
• Attend to negative aspects rather than positive, black & white, blow out of proportion

Question 2

Beck’s negative triad - Depressed people have negative self-schema

Answer 2

• Schema is package of ideas & info developed through experience
• Interpret all info about themselves negatively

Question 3

Beck’s negative triad - The negative triad

Answer 3

1 - negative view of world
2 - negative view of future
3 - negative view of the self

Question 4

Evaluations of Beck’s negative triad (SS)

Answer 4

S - Supporting research
S - Real-world application to screening for depression

Question 5

Beck’s negative triad - Strength - Supporting research

Answer 5

• Clark & Beck concluded cognitive vulnerabilities (FIP, NSS) more common in depressed people
• Prospective study by Cohen tracked 473 adolescents’ development, early cognitive vulnerability predicted later depression
• Association between cognitive vulnerability & depression

Question 6

Beck’s negative triad - Strength - Real-world application to screening for depression

Answer 6

• Assessing cognitive vulnerability in young people most at risk of depression means they can be monitored
• Understanding CV applied in CBT to alter cognitions underlying depression, making person more resilient
• Idea of CV useful in clinical practice

Question 7

Ellis’ ABC model - A

Answer 7

Activating event

• Depression arises fom irrational thoughts
• Depression occurs when we experience negative events

Question 8

Ellis’ ABC model - B

Answer 8

Beliefs

Negative events trigger irrational beliefs
e.g.
- the belief that we must always succeed (musterbation)
- the belief that the world must always be fair & just (utopianism)

Question 9

Ellis’ ABC model - C

Answer 9

Consequences

• Emotional & behavioural consequences when event triggers irrational belief
• e.g. if you believe you must always succeed & then you fail, the consequence is depression

Question 10

Evaluations of Ellis’ ABC model (SL)

Answer 10

S - Application in treating depression
L - Model only explains reactive depression

Question 11

Ellis’ ABC model - S - Application in treating depression

Answer 11

• Ellis applied ABC model to treat depression (rational emotive behaviour therapy)
• Evidence that REBT changes both negative beliefs & relieve symptoms of depression
• REBT has real-world value

Question 12

Ellis’ ABC model - L - Model only explains reactive depression

Answer 12

• Reactive depression is form of depression triggered by negative activating events
• In many cases, not obvious what triggers depression (endogenous depression), model less useful in explaining this
• Model only explains some cases of depression