Ellis’s ABC Model

• 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.