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Depression and Cognitive Approaches

The Cognitive Perspective

Understanding Cognitive Bias

Depression is strongly associated with distorted thinking patterns. The cognitive approach focuses on how maladaptive thoughts cause and maintain depressive symptoms. It includes theoretical models explaining depression and treatments designed to change dysfunctional thinking.

Beck's Negative Triad

Aaron Beck (1967) proposed that depression results from negative thinking about three interconnected key areas, creating a cognitive bias that maintains and worsens depression.

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The Self

Viewing oneself as worthless or inadequate (e.g., “I am a failure”).
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The World

Interpreting external experiences negatively (e.g., “The world is unfair”).
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The Future

Pessimistic expectations about what lies ahead (e.g., “Things will never improve”).

Beck's Cognitive Distortions

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All-or-nothing thinking Viewing situations in extremes (all good or all bad).
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Overgeneralisation Drawing broad negative conclusions from a single event.

Ellis's ABC Model

A → B → C

A (Activating event): Something happens (e.g., failing a test).

B (Beliefs): The individual holds certain beliefs about the event (rational or irrational). For example, "I must do well at everything" (irrational belief).

C (Consequences): Emotional and behavioural consequences arise (e.g., feeling depressed or anxious).

Ellis argued that it is not the event itself that causes depression but the irrational interpretation of it.

Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)

CBT is a widely used therapy based on identifying and modifying irrational or maladaptive thoughts.

1

Assessment and Identification

Identify negative automatic thoughts and underlying beliefs (e.g., beliefs from Beck's triad or Ellis’s irrational beliefs).
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Challenging Irrational Thoughts

Socratic questioning and Reality testing to examine evidence for and against thoughts.
3

Behavioural Activation

Encouraging the client to engage in activities they have been avoiding to improve mood.
4

Homework

Clients practice challenging thoughts and behaviours in daily life.

CBT: Key Intervention

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Socratic Questioning: The therapist encourages the client to examine evidence for and against their thoughts. For example, “What evidence do you have that you are worthless?”

Effectiveness of Treatment

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Lower Relapse Rates

Supported by extensive research showing lower relapse rates.
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UK Recommendation

Recommended by NICE for depression treatment in the UK.

Overview

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How do these models connect to therapy?
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Beck’s negative triad explains depression arising from negative views of self, world and future. Ellis’s ABC model focuses on how irrational beliefs lead to emotional disturbance. CBT targets these dysfunctional cognitions.
Depression and Cognitive Approaches Deck
Q
Beck's Negative Triad

What is Beck's Negative Triad?

A
Answer

Negative views about the self, the world, and the future that maintain depression.

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Elements of Beck's Negative Triad

Name the three elements of Beck's Negative Triad.

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Answer

The Self, The World, The Future.

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All-or-nothing thinking

What is "all-or-nothing thinking"?

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Answer

Seeing situations as all good or all bad, with no middle ground.

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ABC model proposer

Who proposed the ABC model of depression?

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Answer

Albert Ellis (1962).

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Meaning of A in ABC

What does "A" stand for in Ellis's ABC model?

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Answer

Activating event.

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Meaning of B in ABC

What does "B" stand for in Ellis's ABC model?

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Answer

Beliefs (rational or irrational).

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Meaning of C in ABC

What does "C" stand for in Ellis's ABC model?

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Answer

Consequences (emotional and behavioral outcomes).

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Cause of depression in ABC model

According to Ellis, what causes depression?

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Answer

Irrational beliefs about activating events, not the events themselves.

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Main goal of CBT

What is the main goal of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)?

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Answer

To identify and change negative or irrational thoughts and behaviors.

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CBT techniques

Name two key techniques used in CBT to challenge irrational thoughts.

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Answer

Socratic questioning and reality testing (behavioral experiments).

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Behavioral activation

What is behavioral activation in CBT?

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Answer

Encouraging clients to engage in pleasurable activities to improve mood.

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CBT recommendation UK

Which UK organization recommends CBT for treating depression?

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Answer

NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence).

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Cognitive distortions in Beck's theory

How does Beck's theory explain cognitive distortions?

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Answer

As faulty thinking patterns like magnification and overgeneralisation that reinforce depression.

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Evidence for CBT effectiveness

What research finding supports the effectiveness of CBT?

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Answer

CBT has lower relapse rates compared to other treatments.

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🧠 Depression and Cognitive Approaches Quiz

1. What are the three components of Beck’s Negative Triad?

Beck identified negative thoughts about the self, the world, and the future as central to depression.

2. According to Ellis’s ABC model, what causes emotional distress?

Ellis proposed that it’s the irrational interpretation of the activating event that leads to distress.

3. CBT works by reinforcing negative thinking patterns to better understand depression. (True / False)

CBT aims to challenge and change negative thinking patterns, not reinforce them.

4. Which CBT technique involves asking questions like “What evidence do you have that this thought is true?”

Socratic questioning encourages critical examination of negative thoughts.

5. Which cognitive distortion involves exaggerating the significance of problems?

Magnification means blowing problems out of proportion to their actual importance.

📊 Results

  • Notes and Quiz
  • Psychology
  • AS & A Level
  • Mental Health Therapies
  • AQA