Discuss two etiologies of depression ERQ

What is abnormal psychology?

The study of psychological disorders and maladaptive behaviors.

What is Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)?

An affective disorder characterized by symptoms like persistent sadness, fatigue, and loss of interest.

DSM-5 symptoms of MDD

Depressed mood, loss of interest/pleasure, weight change, sleep disturbances, fatigue, feelings of worthlessness/guilt, concentration difficulties, suicidal thoughts.

What are two explanations for depression?

Biological explanation (genetic vulnerability) and cognitive explanation (negative thinking patterns).

What is the biological explanation of depression?

Focuses on genetic vulnerability that makes individuals more likely to develop depression in response to stress.

What is the serotonin transporter gene (5-HTT)?

A gene linked to serotonin regulation; short allele increases sensitivity to stress and depression risk.

Caspi et al. (2003) - Aim

To investigate how the 5-HTT gene interacts with stressful life events to predict depression.

Caspi et al. (2003) - Participants

847 adults from New Zealand.

Caspi et al. (2003) - Procedure

Genotyped participants for 5-HTT alleles; assessed stressful life events and depression symptoms.

Caspi et al. (2003) - Results

Participants with one or two short alleles had higher depression rates after stress than those with long alleles.

Caspi et al. (2003) - Conclusion

Supports the diathesis-stress model: genetic vulnerability interacts with environment.

Caspi et al. (2003) - Strengths

Large, longitudinal design; gene-environment interaction considered.

Caspi et al. (2003) - Limitations

Correlational; cannot prove causation; reductionist—doesn't address cognitive factors.

What is the cognitive explanation of depression?

Focuses on maladaptive thinking patterns that distort perception of self, the world, and the future.

Beck's Cognitive Theory (1967) - Key Concepts

Cognitive Triad (negative views of self, world, future); negative self-schemata; faulty thinking patterns.

Examples of faulty thinking patterns

Dichotomous thinking, overgeneralization, selective abstraction, personalization, arbitrary inference.

Beck's cognitive theory - Strengths

Provides a clear framework; influential in CBT; aligns with clinical observations.

Beck's cognitive theory - Limitations

Doesn't fully explain biological factors; causation unclear (negative thoughts may result from depression).

Discussion of the two explanations

Biological explanation focuses on inherited risk; cognitive explanation focuses on thought patterns. Both are valid but address different mechanisms.

How can the two explanations be integrated?

The diathesis-stress model suggests genetic predisposition (diathesis) interacts with cognitive processes and stressors to produce depression.

Why is integration important?

Neither explanation alone fully accounts for depression; combining biological and cognitive factors offers a more complete understanding.

What are the advantages of the biological explanation?

Highlights inherited risk; shows gene-environment interactions; guides biological research and treatment.

What are the disadvantages of the biological explanation?

Reductionist; doesn't explain why some people with genes don't develop depression; ignores psychological factors.

What are the advantages of the cognitive explanation?

Explains individual differences; forms the basis for CBT; empowers individuals to change thinking patterns.

What are the disadvantages of the cognitive explanation?

Doesn't account for biological vulnerability; causality unclear.

Conclusion summary

Biological and cognitive explanations both help us understand depression; integrating both perspectives leads to better prevention and treatment.