PSYCHOPATHOLOGY - the cognitive approach to explaining depression

Question 1

what is becks cognitive theory?

Answer 1

some people are more vulnerable to depression because of the way they think. there are 3 parts to this cognitive vulnerability ( negative triad)

Question 2

what is in Beck’s negative triad?

Answer 2

1. FAULTY INFORMATION PROCESSING = attend to the negatives and ignore the positives
2. NEGATIVE SELF SCHEMA = interpret all info about ourselves in a negative way.
   3.NEGATIVE TRIAD =negative view of the world, future and self.

Question 3

what is Elis’s cognitive theory?

Answer 3

rational thinking = good mental health
irrational thinking = poor mental health (depression)
ABC MODEL = explains how irrational thinking affects our behaviour and emotional state

Question 4

what is the ABC model?

Answer 4

A - ACTIVATING EVENT = irrational thoughts triggered by negative external events.

B - BELIEFS:
MUSTURBATION = we must always succeed
I CANT STAND IT IT US = if smt dont go smoothly = disaster
UTOPIANISM = life should always be fair

C- CONSEQUENCES = depression

Question 5

evaluate Beck’s cognitive theory?

Answer 5

+ RESEARCH SUPPORT
eg clark and beck found that cognitive vulnerabilities more common in depression and comes before depression
Cohen et al (2019) = tracked development in adolescents measuring cognitive vulnerability, they found cognitive vulnerability predicted later depression

therefore there is association between cognitive vulnerability and depression

+ RWA = screening and treatment for depression
eg Cohen et al concluded that assesing cognitive vulnerability allows psychologists to identify who is at most risk of developing depression
= understanding cognitive vulnerability is useful.

• PARTIAL EXPLANATION = depression is complex and Beck’s model doesn’t account for the more complex emotions involved.
  eg some experience anger
  this is not included in becks model
  therefore becks model is an incomplete explanation of depression.

Question 6

evaluate Ellis’s ABC model.

Answer 6

+ RWA = psychological treatment (REBT). vigorously arguing can alter a persons irrational beliefs that is making them unhappy = REBT had real world value

• ONLY EXPLAINS REACTIVE AND NOT ENDOGENOUS (INTERNAL) DEPRESSION.
  many cases of depression are not traceable to life events. Ellis’s model can only explain some types of depression, therefore offer a partial explanation.
• ETHICAL ISSUES = controversial because it locates responsibility for depression purely within the depressed person. This is blaming the depressed person = unfair.