The cognitive approach to explaining depression

What is the main principle of Beck's theory?

The way an individual thinks can cause cognitive vulnerabilities to depression

What are the three elements of Beck's theory?

Faulty information processing, negative self-schema, negative triad

What is faulty information processing?

Attending to the negatives and ignoring the positives whilst blowing things out of proportion e.g. glass is half-full

What is negative self schema?

A packaged framework of ideas developed through experience e.g. past criticism, abuse, rejection etc.

What is the negative triad?

Negatives views of:
The self - " I am stupid"
The future - "Nothing will ever change"
The world - "Everyone is against me"

What is Ellis' model?

ABC Model (1962):
Activating event (failing a test) -> Beliefs that are irrational ("I am useless as I failed") -> Consequence of a state of depression

- The irrational belief triggers depression, not the event itself

What is the research support for Beck's theory?

Grazioli and Terry (2000):
- Assessed 65 pregnant women for cognitive vulnerability and depression before and after birth
- Those judged to have high cognitive vulnerability were more likely to suffer from postnatal depression

What is a limitation of Beck's theory?

Individual differences:
- Can't explain all types of depression e.g. extreme emotion such as anger
- Jarret (2013) says depressed people can suffer from Cotard's syndrome - the delusion that they are zombies

What is a limitation of Ellis' theory?

Lacks explanatory power:
- Cannot explain reactive depression whereby an external stressor is the cause rather than an irrational belief

What is a strength of both theories?

+ They have both been successful in creating cognitive behavioural therapy treatments

What is a limitation of both theories?

They are reductionist:
- Ignore the biological approach which would say depression is caused by the 3p25-26 gene