This document contains revision notes for the cognitive approach to explaining depression for the psychopathology topic in paper 1 of psychology AQA A level. All content follows the AQA specification.
BECK’S COGNITIVE THEORY OF DEPRESSION
1. Faulty Information Processing: Sufferers listen to negative aspects of a situation and
ignore positives. Blow small problems out of proportion and think in ‘black and white’.
2. Negative Self-schemas: If we have a negative self-schema we interpret information about
ourselves in a negative way.
- Schema: a ‘package’ of information developed through experience. Acts as a mental
framework for the interpretation of sensory information.
- Self-schema: the package of information we have about ourselves.
3. Negative Triad: A person develops a dysfunctional view of themselves due to three types
of automatic negative thinking - Negative view of the world, future and of oneself.
STRENGTH: Good Supporting Evidence
P: Grazioli and Terry assessed 65 pregnant women for cognitive vulnerability and
depression before they gave birth.
E: Women who were judged with a high cognitive vulnerability were more likely to suffer
from postnatal depression.
J: Research supports depression is associated with faulty information processing, negative
self-schemas and triad of impairments.
STRENGTH: Practical Application
P: Increased understanding of the cognitive basis of depression leads to more effective
treatments.
E: Elements of the cognitive triad can be identified by a therapist and challenged as
irrational thoughts.
J: Beck's cognitive theory translates well into successful therapy for depression.
ELLIS’ ABC MODEL: explains how irrational thoughts affect behaviour and emotional state.
- Good mental health is the result of rational thinking. Conditions like depression
result from irrational thoughts.
- Irrational thoughts: thoughts that interfere with us being happy and free of pain.
Activating event: An event occurs.
Beliefs: Your belief is your interpretation of the event, can be rational or irrational.
Consequences: Rational beliefs lead to healthy emotional outcomes.
STRENGTH: Practical Application CBT
P: Led to successful therapy.
E: Challenging irrational negative beliefs, can reduce depression, supported by research
evidence (Lipsky et al.)
J: Supports the theory as it suggests irrational beliefs have a role in depression.
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