Cognitive Approach To Explaining Depression

Question 1

What is Ellis’ ABC model?

Answer 1

Activating event
|
V
(Ir)rational belief
|
V
(Un)healthy emotion

Question 2

Ellis suggested source of irrational beliefs lie in ________ thinking

Answer 2

Mustabatory thinking
—> Thinking that certain ideas must be
for for an individual to be happy

Question 3

What is Beck’s negative triad?

Answer 3

Individuals experience depression as their thinking is biased to negative interpretations of:

     • The self

     • The world 

     • The future 

The negative triad is maintained by negative schemas

Question 4

What are negative schemas?

Answer 4

When we interpret information about our self in a negative way
—> They are developed from
childhood and adolescence
experiences (e.g. bullying)

• Self-blame schemas
—> Makes people w depression feel
responsible for all misfortune

• Ineptness Schemas
—> Makes people w depression expect
to fail

Question 5

What are cognitive biases?

Answer 5

Faulty or unhelpful thinking patterns that lead to low mood and hopelessness

• Overgeneralisation
—> Applying one experience to all
those in future

• Catastrophising
—> exaggerating negative consequences of a situation
—> Thinking worst outcome always

Question 6

What is the Research into cognitive approach to explaining depression?

Answer 6

Alloy tested thinking styles of young Americans and put them into ‘positive thinking group’ and ‘negative thinking group’
—> 1% PTG had depression and 17%
NTG did 6 years after

Question 7

What is an ISSUE with cognitive approach to explaining depression?

Answer 7

• Causation
—> supporting evidence shows link between the two
—> doesn’t establish cause & effect

It’s possible other factors cause depression (genes/neurotransmitters)
—> Irrational thought just symptom

Question 8

What is an APPLICATION of cognitive approach to explaining depression?

Answer 8

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
—> Challenging negative & irrational
thinking which lesson symptoms
—> Suggests such thought play a role

• Demonstrates usefulness and supports validity of cognitive ex. of depression

Question 9

What is an ALTERNATIVE EXPLANATION of cognitive approach to explaining depression?

Answer 9

Combined approach
• explaining depression from only cognitive may not be appropriate
—> Also evidence of biological factors
—> low serotonin & genetics