12. The Cognitive Approach To Explaining Depression AO1 Flashcards
What was becks theory?
Beck’s cognitive theory of depression
What did Beck suggest?
That some people are more prone to depression because of faulty information processing- thinking in flawed ways
What do people with depression tend to do?
If they attend to the negative aspects of and ignore the positives, they then tend to blow small things out of proportion and think in ‘black and white’ terms
What do depressed people have?
A negative self schema
What is a schema?
This is a ‘package’ of ideas and information developed through experience
What are schemas used for?
They are used to interpret the world, so if someone has a negative self schema they interpret all information about themselves in a negative way
What are the three elements of the negative triad?
- Negative views on the world e.g. ‘The world is a cold hard place’
- Negative views on the future e.g. ‘There isn’t much chance that the economy will get any better’
- Negative view of the self that negatively impacts upon self-esteem e.g. Thinking ‘ I am a failure’
What are the three parts of Ellis’ ABC model
Activating event
Beliefs
Consequences
What did Ellis suggest?
Depression arises from irrational thoughts
According to Ellis, when does depression occur?
When we experience negative events e.g. Failing an important test or the end of a relationship
What do negative events cause?
They trigger irrational beliefs
What did Ellis call the belief that we must always succeed?
Musterbation
What is musterbation?
The belief that we must always succeed
What is the belief that it is a disaster if things don’t go smoothly?
I-can’t-stand-it-itis
What is I-can’t-stand-it-itis?
The belief that it is a disaster when things do not go smoothly
