criticisms

• cause & effect


  -cannot infer

  -data between negative thinking & depression is correlational

  -does negative thinking lead to depression? or do those with depression develop negative thoughts?
• depressive realism 


  -irrational beliefs not totally bad

  -depressed people may have more accurate perceptions

  -studies shown those with depression more accurate in predicting likelihood of disaster
• negative thinking not specific to depression - deterministic


  -associated with anxiety & eating disorders

  -deterministic > argues negative thinking leads to depression

  -also lead to other disorders
• reductionist


  -reduces depression to thought processes & faulty thinking

  -doesn't take biological factors into account

  -depression may be caused by certain genes leading to neurotransmitter imbalance

  -serotonin levels too low in people with depression