Depression (cognitive explanations)

Question 1

What does the cognitive approach state about depression?

Answer 1

• The cognitive approach states that depression is caused by a disturbance in thinking.
• It assumes that depression affects individuals who hold negative thoughts and irrational beliefs (negative biases) about themselves. others, the world and the future.

Question 2

What is the schema theory?

Answer 2

• The cognitive explanation states that we use schemas to interpret the world around us and that individuals with negative schemas interpret all situations as negative and this is the cause of depression.

Question 3

Beck’s theory

Answer 3

• Beck states that depressive symptoms are caused by negative thoughts, linked to dysfunctional core beliefs.
• He stated that individuals with depression have developed negative schemas in childhood about themselves, their world and their future.
• Together Beck called these areas the negative triad.

Question 4

How do negative core beliefs develop?

Answer 4

• Negative core beliefs develop in childhood as a result of neglect, abuse, bullying and criticism or rejection from important people in their lives (parents, peers, teachers).
• Later in life, these beliefs affect how information from the world is selected for further processing.
• Evidence that doesn’t match their beliefs is filtered out and evidence that confirms their negative views is focused on and stored.

Question 5

Becks negative triad- framework

Answer 5

• The negative triad provides a framework for the individual to view all events pessimistically.
• The more negative thoughts a person has, the worse their symptoms.

Question 6

Adulthood biases (Beck’s negative triad):

Answer 6

In adulthood these negative schemas become biases such as:
- Overgeneralisation.
- Magnification.
- Catastrophising.

Question 7

What is Ellis’ theory?

Answer 7

• Ellis proposed the ABC model to explain how irrational thoughts put unrealistic demands on the individual, these cause unhealthy emotions and leads to depression.
• His model focusses on the idea that our thoughts, emotions and behaviours are all interlinked.

Question 8

The ABC model

Answer 8

• Ellis stated that activating events trigger rational or irrational beliefs that have emotional and behavioural consequences.

Question 9

Examples of irrational beliefs (Ellis ABC model)

Answer 9

• Mustabatory thinking- the belief that one must always achieve perfectionist goals to achieve success or approval.
• Utopianism- the belief that life should always be fair.