Ellis’s ABC Model

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    Cards (9)

    • One strength of the cognitive explanation for depression is its application to therapy (CBT).
    • Another effective therapy is Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy (REBT), which was developed from Ellis’s ABC model.
    • The cognitive approach does not explain the origins of irrational thoughts, making its generalisations limited.
    • Most of the research in the cognitive approach to depression is correlational (cannot infer cause and effect).
    • It is possible that other factors such as genes and neurotransmitters, are the cause of depression.
    • The ABC model is a useful way of helping people break down their negative thinking.
    • David et al (2018) suggest that REBT can change negative beliefs and reduce symptoms of depression.
    • The ABC model only explains reactive depression (to an event or trigger) and not endogenous depression (internal).
    • The ABC model does not explain all cases of depression and can vary between individuals.