cognitive explanations of depression

• beck's cognitive theory

  • faulty information processing: think in black + white + dwell on the bad
  • negative self schema
  • negative triad - view of world, future + self
• ellis' ABC model

  • A = activating event
  • B = irrational beliefs 'musturbation' = perfectionism, 'utopianism' = everything should be fair
  • C = consequences (emotional + behavioural)
• supporting evidence of beck✅

  • grazioli + terry
  • 65 pregnant women
  • women high in cognitive vulnerability more likely to suffer post-natal depression
• beck's useful in CBT ✅

  • components of negative triad identified
  • successful therapy
• ellis's partial explanation🚫

  • only explains reactive depression
• ellis's partial explanation🚫

  • only explains reactive depression (cognitive)
  • doesn't explain aspects like anger + hallucinations
• ellis's useful in CBT

  • focus on reducing irrational beliefs to reduce consequences