The cognitive approach to explaining depression

Question 1

What are the two cognitive explanations of depression?

Answer 1

Ellis’ ABC model. Beck’s negative triad.

Question 2

Outline the ABC model.

Answer 2

A - activation event (fired at work)
B - belief (company hates me)
C - consequence (negative emotions)

Question 3

What is musturbatory thinking and what does it explain?

Answer 3

Thinking that certain ideas/assumptions must be true in order for an individual to be happy. Describes how irrational thoughts lead to depression.

Question 4

Explain how musturbatory thinking can lead to depression.

Answer 4

Irrational belief e.g. must do well or I am worthless. Individual likely to be disappointed. Depression not a result of an event, but an irrational belief of that event. Challenging musturbatory thinking important for mental health.

Question 5

Explain how negative schemas can lead to depression.

Answer 5

Negative schema obtained during childhood due to parental/peer rejection or teacher criticism. Schemas activates when in conditions similar to when schemas were learned. Lead to systematic cognitive biases.

Question 6

Outline Beck’s negative triad.

Answer 6

Negative schemas and cognitive biases maintain a negative triad of pessimistic and irrational views. Involves a negative view of the self, the world and the future. Feed into each other to create a loop.

Question 7

(AO3) What is the significance of focusing on the client’s thoughts rather than situational factors?

Answer 7

Suggests client is responsible - may have consequences. Does give client power to combat depression. However, may lead both client and therapist to overlook situational factors. Suggests cognitive approach may need to be more holist.

Question 8

(AO3) What is the issue with subjective irrational thoughts?

Answer 8

Whether something is irrational or not is subjective. Depressive thoughts may be realistic. Normal people may be overly-optimistic. ‘Sadder but wiser’. Limitation of cognitive approach - questions its accuracy.

Question 9

(AO3) What is the clearest strength of the cognitive approach to explaining depression?

Answer 9

Practical application in cognitive-behavioural therapy. Consistently found to be most effective treatment, especially when used with drug treatments. Supports cognitive approach as depression is alleviated by challenging irrational thinking (suggests the importance of these thoughts in depression).

Question 10

(AO3) Describe a credible alternative explanation to the cognitive approach.

Answer 10

Biological approach. Positive correlation between low serotonin levels and depression. Successful drug treatments suggests importance of biology. Diathesis-stress may be important here - not cognitive alone.