Cognitive Approach To Explaining Depression

Question 1

Strength for BECK: RTS cohen et al

Answer 1

Cohen et all, tracked development of 473 adolescents, regularly measured cognitive vulnerability, showing cognitive vulnerability predicted depression in later life, supports association between cognitive vulnerability and negative thinking eg becks negative triad, appropriate explanation

Question 2

Strength: practical apps

Answer 2

Findings of research, led to practical applications, theory that depression is caused by negative and irrational thoughts, led to cognitive behavioural therapy, therapy effective in treating depression, helping clients identify challenge and change negative and irrational beliefs via disputing, important part of applied psych

Question 3

Weakness: cause and effect cannot be established

Answer 3

Cause and effect cannot be established with research, whilst negative / irrational thoughts are linked to depression, cannot be firmly concluded that they cause depression or are consequences, cannot be seen as full explanation