Depression- cognitive explanation

Question 1

2 explanations for depression

Answer 1

Beck’s cognitive triad
Ellis’ ABC model

Question 2

becks cognitive triad

Answer 2

Negative self schemas- may come from negative experiences such as criticism

Cognitive bias- focus on negative, over-generalisation + catastrophising

Negative triad- self, world, future

Question 3

Ellis ABC model

Answer 3

A- activating event
B- belief- interpreted rationally or irrationally
C- consequences-
rational interpretation leads to healthy emotional outcome
irrational belief leads to unhealthy emotional outcome

Question 4

Strength becks cognitive triad (practical application)

Answer 4

Practical application- Cohen found assessing cognitive vulnerability allows us to screen young people, identifying those most at risk of depression.
Cohen tracked 473 teens and predicted later depression.
Also applied to CBT

Question 5

limitation becks cognitive triad (reductionist)

Answer 5

reductionist- ignores biology
some feel extreme anger, delusions, hallucinations. not explained by becks theory.
ignoring bio makes theory reductionist

Question 6

strength becks cognitive triad (evidence)

Answer 6

supporting evidence-
Grazioli evaluated 65 pregnant women for a cognitive vulnerability + depression before and after birth, found positive correlation with increased cognitive vulnerability and acquiring depression after birth.
Supports link between faulty cognition and depression supporting becks theory, increasing its validity
However correlation, no cause and effect

Question 7

strength Ellis ABC model (Practical application)

Answer 7

Practical application to cognitive therapy, REBT, focusing on changing irrational beliefs
David evidenced REBT as effective in changing irrational beliefs and relieving symptoms of depression

Question 8

limitation Ellis ABC model (type)

Answer 8

Ellis’ model only explains reactive and not
endogenous depression. Reactive depression would be as a result of a triggering event, or activating event as Ellis outlined. However, many cases of depression are not traceable to life events - this is called endogenous depression - Ellis’ model is less useful for explaining this.

Question 9

limitation Ellis ABC model (controversy)

Answer 9

The ABC model is controversial because it
focused responsibility for depression on the
individual, effectively unfairly blaming them
for their own depression.
Socially sensitive etc