The Cognitive Approach : Explaining Depression

What is the cognitive approach?

Focuses on how mental processes affects behaviour

What is the key assumption of depression?

Caused by faulty thinking. Individual is in control of their own behaviour

What are the two theories for depression?

Beck’s cognitive triad and Ellis’ irrational thinking

What is Beck’s negative triad?

Suggests that a person’s cognitions create vulnerability

What are the three parts of Beck’s negative triad?

Faulty information processing, negative self-schema, negative triad

What is faulty information processing?

People with depression focus on the negative aspects of a situation and ignore the positive. Tend to have black and white thinking

What does schema mean?

A mental framework for the interpretation of sensory info. Package of ideas and info developed through experience

What is self-schema?

A package of info people have about themselves. Use schema to interpret the world

What is negative self-schema?

When a person interpret all of the information about themselves negatively

What is the negative triad?

Three types of negative thinking. Negative views lead to a person to interpret their experiences in a negative way and make them vulnerable to depression

What negative thoughts does a depressed person have during the negative triad?

Negative thoughts about the world, future and themselves

Negative view of the world

Creates the impression that there is no hope

Negative view of the future

Reduce hopefulness and enhance depression

Negative view of the self

The thoughts enhance any existing depressive feelings. Confirm the existing emotions of low self-esteem

What does Ellis’ ABC model state?

A good mental health is a result of rational thinking. Explains how irrational thoughts affect our behaviour

How did Ellis define irrational thoughts?

Thoughts that interfere with being happy

How is Beck and Ellis’ model different?

Beck emphasises on automatic thoughts. Ellis focused on situations in which irrational thoughts are triggered by external events

What does ABC stand for?

Activating event, beliefs and consequence

Activating event

Focuses on situations where irrational thoughts are triggered by external events. We get depressed when we experience negative events, causes irrational beliefs.

Beliefs (cause of depression)

Range of irrational beliefs, musturbation, I can’t stand its and utopianism

What is musturbation?

The belief that we must always succeed or achieve perfection

What are I can’t stand it itis?

Belief that it a major disaster whenever something doesn’t go smoothly

What is utopianism?

Belief that life is always meant to be fair

Consequence

Activating event triggers irrational beliefs, the consequences are emotional and behavioural