Cognitive theory as an explanation of depression To explain the cognitive theory as an explanation of depression and to evaluate this theory

Starter What explanation of depression did we look at last lesson?

What do you understand by this saying? “Making mountains out of molehills.” MAGNIFICATION – always focusing on small, negative events, and ignoring large positive events (‘making mountains out of molehills’).

Cognitive theory Behaviour can be explained by looking at how the brain processes information and therefore how we think

The Cognitive Approach to Depression The cognitive approach to explaining depression, including Beck’s negative triad and Ellis’s ABC model;

What do you think about these statements? “It is essential to be loved or approved of by everyone in the community” “You must be perfectly competent, capable and achieving in order to consider yourself worthwhile”

How people assess the same situation varies

Cognitive Approach There are a number of cognitive explanations of depression which believe that the disorder is the result of disturbance in ‘thinking’. They focus on an individual’s negative thoughts, irrational beliefs and misinterpretation of events as being the cause of depression.

Beck’s cognitive triad Beck thought that depression could be explained by a pattern

Beck’s Theory Negative cognitive triad Cognitive errors Schemas

Healthy interpretation of negative events Bad things happen - it’s part of life. Chris gets dumped by his girlfriend. Non-depressive interpretation: Plenty more fish in the sea. We weren’t that well suited anyway. No more nagging – can go out with my mates whenever I like. Basically, I’m sad but I’ll get over it. This slide gives a set of mentally healthy reactions to a negative event. Other examples can be used. Eg. I failed my first driving test: I can take another one etc.

Depressed person’s interpretation We’ll do this using Beck’s NEGATIVE TRIAD: THE SELF: for example Not surprised I’ve been dumped - I was never good enough for her anyway. THE FUTURE: for example I’ll never find anyone to share my life with; I’m always going to be lonely. THE WORLD: for example People don’t like me: they never give me a chance to show what a nice person I am and how good a partner I could be. Now we see the same event interpreted in the way Beck suggests causes depression.

D I Y Sam got an average mark in a maths test. Do a similar positive and negative triad for the following: Sam got an average mark in a maths test. Louis lost the house he wanted to buy because someone put in a better offer – more than he could afford. Rick’s computer keeps crashing whilst he’s trying to write an essay. Students do these themselves using the negative triad.

Ellis’s ABC Model Ellis thought a bit differently to Beck He said there are three stages which can lead to depression

Albert Ellis Activating event triggers … Explains depressive/irrational thinking using the ABC model. What does ABC stand for? Activating event triggers … Beliefs which are irrational; this produces … Consequences – an emotional response. It is the IRRATIONAL BELIEFS which trigger the response, not the event itself.

It is not the event but the irrational belief that triggers depression. Activating event triggers … Beliefs which are irrational; this produces … Consequences – an emotional response. A Liz declines Jez’s offer of a second date. B Jez believes I am worthless. I will never succeed with anyone. I am a total failure. C Depression This examples serves as an illustration of the ABC model.

Undesirable Behaviour A: Activating event Mary and her boyfriend split up. Rational Thoughts Mary tells herself that although it is a sad situation they were not compatible and she may learn from the experience. Irrational Thoughts Mary tells herself that the break up is her fault and that she is not loveable, and so will always fail at relationships. B: Beliefs (about A) Desirable Emotions Mary feels sad, but is hopeful that she will have successful relationships in the future. Undesirable Emotions Mary feels guilty that she spoilt the relationship and that she is unlovable. Desirable Behaviour Mary looks forward to forming new healthy relationships and tries to learn from her experience. Undesirable Behaviour Mary resolves not to form new relationships as she will only fail and get hurt again. C: Consequences (of B)

Examples of Irrational Beliefs I must always achieve perfection. I must be loved by every significant other. I must be competent, adequate and achieving to be considered worthwhile. It is awful and catastrophic when things are not the way I’d like them to be. It is easier to avoid, than to face, difficulties and responsibilities in life. I have no control over my sorrows and disturbed behaviour; it is caused by external factors. If something dangerous could happen, I should dwell on it and be constantly concerned by it. I need someone stronger than myself to rely on. My past history determines my present behaviour. This slide provides examples of irrational beliefs which are used in the exercise on the next slide. They are based on Ellis (1962).

D I Y Use Ellis’s ABC model to explain the sequence in the following scenarios. Try to use at least one of the irrational beliefs listed on the previous slide. Eliot has a minor car crash which was not his fault. Samina’s on a diet but eats a small piece of cake. Lewis fails to save a shot in a penalty shoot out, having saved the previous four. Students use the ABC model to explain some negative (but everyday) events.

Strengths and weaknesses Takes into account life events Combines nature and nurture Applied to therapy (CBT) Difficult to tell whether the irrational thoughts are a cause of the depression or a symptom Is there always an activating event

Apply it page 55.

Exam questions Describe the cognitive theory of unipolar depression (3 marks) Explain one strength and one weakness of the cognitive theory of unipolar depression (4 marks)