A01

• Who is the American psychiatrist that proposed a cognitive approach to depression?

  Aaron Beck
• What does Beck suggest creates vulnerability to depression?

  A person's cognitions and thinking patterns
• What are the three parts of cognitive vulnerability according to Beck?

  1. Faulty information processing
  2. Negative self-schema
  3. The negative triad
• What is faulty information processing in the context of depression?

  Focusing on negatives while ignoring positives
• If a depressed person wins £1 million, what might they focus on instead of the positive outcome?

  The fact someone else won £10 million
• What is 'black and white thinking' as described by Beck?

  Seeing things as all bad or all good
• What is a schema in psychological terms?

  A package of ideas and information
• How does a negative self-schema affect a person's interpretation of information?

  It leads to negative interpretations about oneself
• What are the three types of negative thinking in Beck's negative triad?

  Negative view of the world, future, and self
• What does a negative view of the world imply for a depressed person?

  They see the world as cold and hopeless
• How does a negative view of the future affect a person's mood?

  It reduces hopefulness and enhances depression
• What kind of thoughts enhance feelings of low self-esteem in depression?

  Thinking 'I am a failure'
• What are the implications of Beck's cognitive approach to treating depression?

  • Focus on changing negative thought patterns
  • Use cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
  • Encourage positive self-schema development