Evaluation - cognitive approach to depression

• Evaluation 


  +support for the role of irrational thinking: Bates et all found that depressed participants who were given negative automatic thought statement became more depressed so negative thinking leads to depression. However, it doesn't mean negative thoughts causes depression but depressed individuals develop negative thoughts because of depression.

  +Irrational beliefs may be realistic: Alloy and Abrahamson suggests depressive realists see things for what they are and found that depressed people give more accurate estimates of situations.
• Evaluation: 


  +practical application in therapy: CBT is best therapy when treating depression especially when used in conjunction with drug treatments. It has specific implications for success. If depression is alleviated by challenging irrational thoughts suggests such thoughts had a role in depression.

  -Alternative explanation: biological approach suggests genes and neurotransmitters may cause depression. Genetic vulnerability for depression more prone to effects of negative environment leads to irrational thinking.
• Evaluation:


  -Blames client rather than situational factors: genetic predisposition suggests client is responsible for disorder but is a good thing as gives client power to change it. However, client or therapist to overlook situational factors.