cognitive approach to explaining depression

name the 2 key cognitive theories that attempt to explain depression:

• Beck’s Cognitive Triad

• Ellis’ Irrational Thinking ABC Model

what is a -ve self schema?

• interpreting info about oneself in a -ve way

• often leads to cognitive bias

what is a cognitive bias?

focusing on the -ve aspects of the situation and ignoring the +ves

according to Beck, what maintains the -ve triad?

• -ve self schemas

• cognitive biases

give the 3 components of Beck’s -ve Triad:

• -ve views about self

• -ve views about future

• -ve views about world

give 3 strengths of Beck’s -ve Triad:

• Grazioli and Terry (2000) - 65 pregnant women assessed for cognitive vulnerability and depression before/after birth → those high in cognitive vulnerability more likely to suffer post natal depression ∴ Beck may be right about cognition causing depression

• RWA of CBT - components of -ve Triad can be easily identified and challenged in CBT, enabling patients to test whether or not elements are true

• Boury et al. (2001) - patients w/ depression more likely to show signs of cognitive bias (misinterpret info -vely) and -ve Triad (feel hopeless about future)

give a limitation of Beck’s -ve Triad:

(also for Ellis) does not explain all aspects of depression e.g. extreme anger/hallucinations/bizarre beliefs/Cotard syndrome - belief that they are a zombie: Jarrett (2013)

describe Ellis’ ABC Model:

• Activating event - irrational thoughts triggered by external events

• Belief - interpretation of an event: rational (healthy)/irrational (unhealthy) beliefs

• Consequence of the event - can be emotional or behavioural

what did Ellis believe irrational beliefs were caused by? what does this mean?

mustabatory thinking - the belief that certain ideas must be true in order to be happy

wwhich 3 irrational beliefs did Ellis identify as most important?

1. I must be approved by people I think are important

2. I must do well or I am worthless

3. the world must give me happiness or I will die

give 2 strengths of Ellis’ ABC model:

• application to REBT allows depressed person to take responsibility so that they can achieve resilience and feel better

• RWA of CBT reinforced by Lipsky et al. (1980) who found that challenging irrational -ve beliefs can reduce depression

give 2 limitations of Ellis’ ABC model:

• only explains reactive depression - cannot explain depression that arises w/o an obvious cause

• application to REBT may be unethical and cause victim blaming due to the location of responsibility in the ABC model

• (also for Beck) alternative explanations e.g. biological - genes/neurotransmitters/attachment style. reinforced by diathesis stress model and successful drug therapy

what does the diathesis stress model state?

individuals w/ a genetic vulnerability for depression are more prone to the effects of living in a -ve environment, which leads to -ve irrational thinking