cognitive approach to explaining depression

• What is Beck's main idea about the development of depression?

  People have cognitive vulnerability due to faulty processing
• What causes cognitive vulnerability to depression according to Beck?

  Faulty information processing
• What are negative self-schemas according to Beck?


  Beliefs about oneself that are interpreted negatively
• When are negative self-schemas formed?

  In childhood
• How do negative self-schemas affect individuals?

  They cause negative interpretations of self-information
• What is the cognitive triad in Beck's theory?

  Three types of negative automatic thoughts
• What are the three components of the cognitive triad?

  Self, world, and future
• What does 'faulty information processing' refer to in Beck’s theory?

  Tendency to focus on negatives and ignore positives
• What type of thinking is associated with faulty information processing?

  Black-and-white (all-or-nothing) thinking
• What are the key concepts in Beck's theory of depression?

  • Cognitive vulnerability due to faulty processing
  • Negative self-schemas formed in childhood
  • Cognitive triad: self, world, future
  • Faulty information processing: focus on negatives
• What does the a stand for in Ellis's abc model?

  A stands for activating event a negative event that triggers irrational thoughts such as failing an exam or a relationship breakup.
• What does the b represent in Ellis's ABC model

  The letter B stands for belief - the interpretation of the activating event which is irrational. For example, I must be perfect or I am a failure
• What does the c mean in Ellis's ABC model?

  The letter C stands for consequence - emotional and behavioural outcomes, like depression, which result from the belief and not the event itself.
• Why is the belief stage key in the ABC model?

  Because different people interpret events differently. Irrational beliefs lead to depression explaining individual vulnerability.
• What is an example of an irrational belief in the ABC model?

  If something goes wrong it is a total disaster
• A strength is that the cognitive approach to explaining depression has real life application to treatment such as CBT and REBT. CBT and REBT work to identify the negative triad and challenge irrational beliefs. REBT extends the ABC model to dispute through vigorous argument. This is a strength because the theory has led to effective treatments, which has benefited patients quality of life. Therefore, the theory has been beneficial to society as a whole.
• A strength of Beck’s cognitive theory of depression is that it is supported by research evidence, such as Grazioli and Terry's study (2000). The researchers assessed 65 pregnant women for cognitive vulnerability and depression before and after birth. They found a positive correlation between higher cognitive vulnerability and a greater likelihood of developing depression after giving birth. This supports the idea that faulty cognition, such as negative thinking patterns and cognitive distortions, can increase the risk of depression, as suggested by Beck's model. The study’s findings add validity to the cognitive approach by demonstrating that cognitive vulnerability, as described in the cognitive triad, plays a role in the onset of depression. However, it is important to note that while the study shows correlation, it does not establish causation, meaning other factors could be involved in the development of depression.
• A limitation of Ellis’ ABC model is that it cannot explain all types of depression, particularly those that occur without an obvious activating event. The model is more applicable to cases of reactive depression, where a stressful life event clearly precedes the onset of symptoms. However, many people experience depression without any clear external trigger. This means their experiences aren’t fully explained by the ABC model, potentially making the theory feel invalid or frustrating for some. As a result, the model lacks explanatory power and may not be generalisable to all forms of depression, limiting its overall usefulness in both clinical and theoretical contexts.
• A limitation of both Beck’s cognitive theory and Ellis’ ABC model is that they fail to explain all symptoms of depression. While they account well for low mood and faulty thinking, they overlook more complex features such as hallucinations, intense anger, or rare conditions like Cotard Syndrome, where sufferers believe they are dead or don't exist. This limits the validity of these theories, as they do not capture the full range of depressive symptoms. As a result, therapy based solely on these models might not be effective for all individuals, potentially reducing its clinical usefulness and leaving some patients feeling misunderstood or inadequately treated.
• A limitation of both Beck’s and Ellis’ cognitive theories is that they are cognitively reductionist. They focus solely on the role of faulty thinking patterns and ignore biological factors that also contribute to depression, such as low levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin. Research shows that antidepressant drugs that increase serotonin levels can be effective in treating depression, suggesting that biological mechanisms play a key role. By failing to consider the biological dimension, cognitive theories lack a holistic explanation of depression, which lowers their overall validity and may limit their effectiveness in guiding treatment for all individuals.