Outline and evaluate the
cognitive approach to explaining
depression. (16 marks)
Beck's Cognitive Triad and Ellis's ABC Model are two cognitive theories for
understanding depression. Beck asserted that negative self-schemas and cognitive
biases that uphold a cognitive (negative) triad—a pessimistic perspective of the present,
the future, and the outside world—are to blame for depression.
According to Beck, depressed persons have negative schemas about themselves that
were formed as a result of adverse childhood experiences, such as parental criticism. In
addition, Beck discovered that those who are depressed tend to overlook the benefits of
a situation in favour of the negatives. This includes overgeneralizing and distorting
information, a process called as cognitive bias. For instance, "I will flunk ALL of my
examinations since I failed one test!" In order to illustrate how irrational beliefs might
result in depression, Ellis devised the ABC three-stage model. When a friend ignores
your greeting when you pass them in the school hallway, that is an example of an
activating event (A). Your interpretation, which may be irrational or sensible, is your
belief (B). Ellis claims that an unreasonable thought (such as "my friend must detest
me") can have negative emotional effects (C), such as depression.
The cognitive theory of depression's application to therapy is one of its strengths.
Effective depression therapies, such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and
Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy (REBT), which was created using Ellis' ABC
model, have been established using cognitive explanations. These treatments aim to
recognise and reject unfavourable, irrational ideas and have been effective in treating
depression, lending more credence to the cognitive theory of depression.
Outline and evaluate the cognitive approach to explaining depression. (16 marks) 1
cognitive approach to explaining
depression. (16 marks)
Beck's Cognitive Triad and Ellis's ABC Model are two cognitive theories for
understanding depression. Beck asserted that negative self-schemas and cognitive
biases that uphold a cognitive (negative) triad—a pessimistic perspective of the present,
the future, and the outside world—are to blame for depression.
According to Beck, depressed persons have negative schemas about themselves that
were formed as a result of adverse childhood experiences, such as parental criticism. In
addition, Beck discovered that those who are depressed tend to overlook the benefits of
a situation in favour of the negatives. This includes overgeneralizing and distorting
information, a process called as cognitive bias. For instance, "I will flunk ALL of my
examinations since I failed one test!" In order to illustrate how irrational beliefs might
result in depression, Ellis devised the ABC three-stage model. When a friend ignores
your greeting when you pass them in the school hallway, that is an example of an
activating event (A). Your interpretation, which may be irrational or sensible, is your
belief (B). Ellis claims that an unreasonable thought (such as "my friend must detest
me") can have negative emotional effects (C), such as depression.
The cognitive theory of depression's application to therapy is one of its strengths.
Effective depression therapies, such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and
Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy (REBT), which was created using Ellis' ABC
model, have been established using cognitive explanations. These treatments aim to
recognise and reject unfavourable, irrational ideas and have been effective in treating
depression, lending more credence to the cognitive theory of depression.
Outline and evaluate the cognitive approach to explaining depression. (16 marks) 1
