Cognitive approach to explaining depression A03

• Evaluation of the cognitive approach to explaining depression A03


  BECK EVALUATION:

  • +Supporting evidence (Grazioli and Terry 2000)
  • +Practical Application as therapy
  • - Only a partial explanation of depression, doesnt explain all aspects of depression(Cotard Syndrome, Jarret 2013)

  
  

  ELLIS EVALUATION:

  • +Practical Application (Lipsky et al 1980)
  • - Only a partial explanation of depression, doesn't explain all aspects of depression - Cognitions may not cause ALL aspects of depression - activating events
• -ELLIS: Ellis model is only a partial explanation of depression: CAtED A03


  P: There is no doubt that some cases of depression follow activating events

  E: Psychologists call this reactive depression and it seem it is as different from the kind of depression that arises without an obvious cause

  L: This means that Ellis's explanation only applies to some kinds of depression and is therefore only a partial explanation for depression
• ELLIS: Practical Applications - CAtED A03


  P: ELLIS' cognitive explanation forms basis of CBT & has practical application in CBT

  E: Components of negative triad be easily identified & challenged in CBT. Means patients can test whether elements of negative triad are true. Idea that by challenging irrational negative beliefs, person can reduce their depression, supported by research (Lipsky et al 1980).

  L: Strength of explanation coz it translates well into a successful therapy. This supports the basic theory because it suggests the irrational beliefs had some role in depression.
• BECK: It does not explain all aspects of depression, ONLY A PARTIAL EXPLANATION OF DEPRESSION - CAtED A03 - PART 1


  P: BECK explains why people are more vulnerable to depression vs others as a result of their cognitions, but his approach same limitation as ELLIS

  E: Depression is a complex disorder. Some depressed patients are deeply angry and Beck can not easily explain this extreme emotion.
• BECK: It does not explain all aspects of depression, ONLY A PARTIAL EXPLANATION OF DEPRESSION - CAtED A03 - PART 2


  E: It does not easily explain the anger associated with depression or the fast some people suffer hallucinations, bizarre beliefs or Cotard Syndrome (delusions that they zombies, Jarrett 2013).

  L: Beck's theory can't always explain all cases of depression & just focuses on one aspect of the disorder
• Cognitions may not cause ALL aspects of depression - CAtED A03


  P: Cognitive explanations are closely tied up with the concept of cognitive primacy, the ide that emotions are influence by cognition (your thoughts).

  E: This is sometimes the case, but not neccesarily always. Other theories of depression see emotions like anxiety & distress as stored like physical energy to emerge some time after their casual event

  L: This casts doubt on the idea that cognitions are always the root cause of depression and suggests that cognitive theories may not explain all aspects of the disorder.
• BECK: Practical Application as a therapy - ACtED A03


  P: Beck's Cognitive explanation forms the basis of CBT

  E: The compnents of the -ve triad can be easily identified and challenged in CBT. This means a patient can test whether the elements of the -ve are true.

  L: This is a strength of the explanation because it translates well into a successful therapy
• Strength of BECK: Supporting evidence - CAtED A03
- PART 1


  P: Research support for idea depression is associated with faulty cognitive processing, negative self-schemas & cognitive triad of negative automatic thinking.

  E: E.g., Grazioli & Terry (2000) assessed 65 pregnant women for their thinking patterns & depressive thinking & cognitive vulnerability & depression before & after birth.
• Strength of BECK: Supporting evidence - CAtED A03- PARt 2


  E: Found those women judged to have been high in cognitive vulnerability & demonstrated negative thinking patterns were more likely to suffer post-natal depression.

  L: These cognitions can be seen before depression develops, suggesting that Beck may be right about cognition causing depression at least in some cases.