AO3: Cognitive approach to explaining depression

• One strength of this approach is there is research to support the impact of schemas by Koster et al. They found that when presented with a word, depressed participants took longer to disengage from the negative words than non-depressed participants. This suggests that the negative words impacted attention of depressives and slowed them down in answering. Therefore, this supports Beck's theory as it shows that depressive were focusing more on the negative words than the neutral and positive words.
• There is also further research to support the influence of cognitive bias by Grazoli who found that women with high cognitive vulnerability were more likely to suffer from post natal depression. Therefore giving the negative triad high reliability.
• Another strength is that there are practical applications the cognitive approach to explaining depression. Cognitive ideas have been used to design effective treatments for depression. For example, Ellis's ABC model allowed for the development of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy (REBT). These effective therapeutic techniques, aim to challenge the irrational thought processes. Therefore, this research has gone on to help many people and benefit society as a whole.
• An issue with this explanation is that it is only a partial explanation of depression. For example, Ellis's ABC model only applies when there is an activating agent; therefore it only works in explaining reactive depression, not endogenous depression. It also fails to explain the manic aspect of bipolar. Additionally, sometimes depression can arise without an obvious cause suggesting that faulty cognition and depression are correlational not causational. The ABC model just tells us what happens to someone with depression, not how it is developed.
• Beck's cognitive triad explains the symptoms well but depression is very complex. Patients often experience multiple emotions with depression from anger to sadness. Beck cannot explain extreme emotions with his negative triad model. It also fails to acknowledge how some depressives do not view themselves negatively, only the world around them and the future for example.
• There are alternative explanations for depression, including the role of genes and neurotransmitters according to the biological approach and also the role of serotonin. It is argued that if there is a genetic predisposition to depression, then it is likely a biological explanation for depression. This is shown through the diathesis-stress model; which says that people have genes which are triggered by a 'stress' which causes the development of depression. For example, Grazoli's findings could be explained by a gene for PND which is triggered by changing hormonal balances.