depression

Question 1

depression

Answer 1

a mental disorder characterised by low mood and low energy levels

Question 2

how does the cognitive approach explain depression

Answer 2

• faulty and irrational thought processes and perceptions
• maladaptive cognitions that underpin the maladaptive behaviours

Question 3

Ellis’ ABC model (1962)

Answer 3

• Ellis proposed that the key to mental disorders lay in irrational thoughts
• Activating agent= external, negative events trigger irrational thoughts which causes depression
• Beliefs= you hold a belief about the event which may be rational or irrational
• Consequence= you have an emotional response to your belief. Rational beliefs lead to healthy emotions and irrational beliefs lead to unhealthy emotions (e.g. worthlessness) which are seen as true and lead to depression

Question 4

Beck’s negative triad (1967)

Answer 4

• suggested a cognitive approach to explaining why some people are more vulnerable to depression than others
• 3 parts to cognitive vulnerability are faulty info. processing, negative self-schemas and negative triad.

Question 5

faulty information processing

Answer 5

• when depressed, we focus on the negative aspects of a situation and ignore the positives
• blow small problems out of proportion
• think in black and white

Question 6

negative self schemas

Answer 6

• schema= package of ideas and info developed through experience. acts as a mental framework for the interpretation of sensory information
• we interpret all information about ourselves in a negative way

Question 7

the negative triad

Answer 7

• negative view of self= individuals see themselves as helpless, worthless, inadequate
• negative view of the world= life experiences where obstacles are perceived as cannot be dealt with
• negative view of the future= personal worthlessness is seen as blocking improvements
• all enhance depression

Question 8

emotional characteristics of depression

Answer 8

• ALL
• lowered mood
• anger
• lowered self-esteem

Question 9

cognitive characteristics of depression

Answer 9

• AAP
• poor concentration
• attending to and dwelling on the negative
• absolutist thinking (unfortunate situations turned into absolute disaster)

Question 10

behavioural characteristics of depression

Answer 10

• DADA
• disruption to sleep
• activity levels
• disruption to eating
• aggression and self harm

Question 11

evaluation points for cognitive approach explaining depression

Answer 11

• real world application of both developing CBT
• weakness of both from stating that cognitions cause emotions
• weakness of Ellis from depression arising without a cause
• supporting evidence of Beck from depression associating with the cognitive vulnerabilities

Question 12

• real world application of both developing CBT

Answer 12

• Becks theory forms the basis of CBT as all cognitive elements including negative triad can be identified and challenged in CBT
• Ellis’ theory that challenging negative irrational beliefs can reduce depression is used when breaking the link between negative life events and depression which changes irrational thoughts to healthy emotions
• externally valid and suggests that irrational cognitions play a role in development of depression so valid explanations

Question 13

weakness of both from stating that cognitions cause emotions

Answer 13

• Cognitive explanations of depression share the idea that cognitions cause depression
• linked to the idea of cognitive primacy, which suggests that emotions are influenced by your cognitions
• this is the case sometimes but not always
• therefore explanation not completely valid as sometimes the direction of casualty may be opposite

Question 14

weakness of Ellis from depression arising without a cause

Answer 14

• some cases of depression follow activating agents which is called reactive depression
• this is different to the type of depression that arises without a cause- which cant be explained by Ellis’ model
• therefore the model only applies to some kinds of depression so its only a partial explanation

Question 15

supporting evidence for Beck from depression associating with cognitive vulnerabilities

Answer 15

• range of evidence supports this
• research found women high in cognitive vulnerability are more likely to develop post-natal depression
• therefore Beck is right about cognitions causing depression so internally valid