AO3 Evaluation - Cognitive Explanations of
Depression
Notes
– It has good supporting evidence - research has supported the
proposal that depression is associated with faulty information
processing, negative self-schemas and the triad of impairments.
– It has practical application in cognitive behavioural therapy -
Forms the basis of cognitive behavioural therapy. All cognitive aspects
of depression can be challenged in CBT.
– It does not explain all aspects of depression - The theory explains
basic symptoms of depression; it is a complex disorder with a range of
symptoms, not all of which can be explained
In Full
A strength of Beck’s Theory in order to explain depression is that it has
good supporting evidence. This supports the idea that depression is
related with aspects like; faulty information processing, negative self-
schemas and the cognitive triad of negative thinking. For example,
Weissman and Beck (1978) investigated the thought process of depressed
people to establish whether or not they use negative schemas. They
measured thought processes using a Dysfunctional Attitude Scale, and
found that depressed people are more negative about themselves than
non-depressed people. In conclusion, this meant that depression did in
turn involve the use of negative schemas. This is a strength as it therefore
proved that Beck was right about cognitive factors being the ultimate
cause of depression, at least in some cases.
Another strength of Beck’s Theory is that it has practical application in
cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). It formed the basis of this therapy,
and all cognitive aspects of depression can be identified and tested in
CBT. These include the pieces of the negative triad that are easily
obtainable. This means that a therapist can ultimately challenge them and
encourage the patient to test whether they are true. This is therefore a
strength of Beck’s explanation to depression because it can easily be
interpreted in successful therapy.
Depression
Notes
– It has good supporting evidence - research has supported the
proposal that depression is associated with faulty information
processing, negative self-schemas and the triad of impairments.
– It has practical application in cognitive behavioural therapy -
Forms the basis of cognitive behavioural therapy. All cognitive aspects
of depression can be challenged in CBT.
– It does not explain all aspects of depression - The theory explains
basic symptoms of depression; it is a complex disorder with a range of
symptoms, not all of which can be explained
In Full
A strength of Beck’s Theory in order to explain depression is that it has
good supporting evidence. This supports the idea that depression is
related with aspects like; faulty information processing, negative self-
schemas and the cognitive triad of negative thinking. For example,
Weissman and Beck (1978) investigated the thought process of depressed
people to establish whether or not they use negative schemas. They
measured thought processes using a Dysfunctional Attitude Scale, and
found that depressed people are more negative about themselves than
non-depressed people. In conclusion, this meant that depression did in
turn involve the use of negative schemas. This is a strength as it therefore
proved that Beck was right about cognitive factors being the ultimate
cause of depression, at least in some cases.
Another strength of Beck’s Theory is that it has practical application in
cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). It formed the basis of this therapy,
and all cognitive aspects of depression can be identified and tested in
CBT. These include the pieces of the negative triad that are easily
obtainable. This means that a therapist can ultimately challenge them and
encourage the patient to test whether they are true. This is therefore a
strength of Beck’s explanation to depression because it can easily be
interpreted in successful therapy.
