Etiology of major depressive disorder Melody and Joan

Cognitive factors

Ellis (1962) Cognitive style theory- psychological disturbances often come form irrational and illogical thinking.Cognitive style theory- psychological disturbances often come form irrational and illogical thinking. Due to dubious evidences or faulty inferences of an event people would draw false conclusions and causing them to feel anger, anxiety or depression.Due to dubious evidences or faulty inferences of an event people would draw false conclusions and causing them to feel anger, anxiety or depression. E.g. irrational beliefs- ‘my work must be perfect’ + certain observations- ‘my last essay didn’t receive the top grade’ = self defeating conclusions ‘since I did not receive the highest grade, I am stupid.’E.g. irrational beliefs- ‘my work must be perfect’ + certain observations- ‘my last essay didn’t receive the top grade’ = self defeating conclusions ‘since I did not receive the highest grade, I am stupid.’

Beck (1976) Theory of depression- based on cognitive distortions and biases in information processing.Theory of depression- based on cognitive distortions and biases in information processing. Based on schema processing where stored schemas about the self interfere with information processing.Based on schema processing where stored schemas about the self interfere with information processing. Depressive patients exhibit negative cognitive triad characterized by:Depressive patients exhibit negative cognitive triad characterized by: 1.Overgeneralization based on negative events 2.Non-logical inference about the self 3.Dichotomous thinking- black and white thinking, and selective recall of negative consequences. E.g. I am either a total failure, or a complete success.

According to Beck, negative cognitive schemas are activated by stressful events.According to Beck, negative cognitive schemas are activated by stressful events. A depressed person may tend to overreact, this has to do with their attributional style- how the person appraise the situation.A depressed person may tend to overreact, this has to do with their attributional style- how the person appraise the situation. If a person has negative expectations about the future, and a tendency to explain these in terms of internal, stable and global factors, they are to be trapped in a vicious cycle.If a person has negative expectations about the future, and a tendency to explain these in terms of internal, stable and global factors, they are to be trapped in a vicious cycle.

Alloy et al. (1999) A longitudinal prospective studyA longitudinal prospective study Sample of young Americans in their twenties participated for 6 yearsSample of young Americans in their twenties participated for 6 years ‘Positive thinking group’ and ‘Negative think group’‘Positive thinking group’ and ‘Negative think group’ Positive  1%Positive  1% Negative  17%Negative  17% There may be a correlation between cognitive styles and depression developmentThere may be a correlation between cognitive styles and depression development

Other researchers Blackburn (1988)Blackburn (1988) Depressed people often experienced a number of disturbances in thought processes. Frude (1998)Frude (1998) Depressive thinking styles from prospective studies showed supported the cognitive explanations of depression