The cognitive approach to explaining depression

• Beck's cognitive theory of depression (1967)

  Faulty information processing- When we are depressed we attend to the negative aspects of situation. We also blow small problems out of proportion and think in 'black and white' terms.

  Negative self-schemas- schemas act as a mental framework for interpretating information. Self-schemas= package of information we have about ourselves (interpret ourselves negatively)

  The negative triad-

  • negative view of world
  • negative view of future
  • negative view of self
• Ellis's ABC model (1962)

  Depression is a result of irrational thinking.

  Activating event: external events that trigger irrational beliefs (e.g., failing test)

  Beliefs: Irrational beliefs include musturbatory thinking- "I must succeed or I am a failure"

  Consequences: When activating event triggers irrational beliefs there are emotional and behavioural consequences (depression)
• Beck's cognitive theory of depression- evaluation

  It has good supporting evidence- Grazioli and Terry (2000) assessed 65 pregnant women for cognitive vulnerability and depression before and after birth. High cognitive vulnerability= most likely to suffer post-natal depression.

  It has practical application in CBT- Therapist can challenge components of negative triad (translates well into successful therapy)

  It doesn't explain all aspects of depression- explains neatly the basic symptoms of depression but it is complex (cannot explain anger)
• Ellis's ABC model- evaluation

  A partial explanation- Some cases of depression follow activating events (reactive depression) but sometimes arises without obvious cause.

  It has practical application in CBT- challenging irrational negative beliefs can reduce depression (supported by research- Lipsky et al., 1980).

  It doesn't explain all aspects of depression- also doesn't explain anger