2023-2025 Year 12 A-Level Psychology: Psychopathology: The Cognitive Explanation
These flashcards explore how the cognitive approach explains depression as being linked to internal mental processes. They clarify that negative and irrational thoughts don’t directly cause depression but instead increase vulnerability to it, as proposed by cognitive psychologists Ellis and Beck.
The term ‘cognitive’ refers to…?
Internal mental processes / the way we think
Key Terms
The term ‘cognitive’ refers to…?
Internal mental processes / the way we think
The cognitive approach suggests depression is caused by…
Negative and irrational thoughts
A student has written the following answer:
“Negative and irrational thoughts cause depression”
Is this correct, or incorrect? Why?
Incorrect - negative and irrational thoughts make someone vulnerable to depression
Which cognitive psychologist suggested that vulnerability to depression is caused by irrational thoughts?
Ellis
Which cognitive psychologist suggested that vulnerability to depression is caused by negative thoughts ?
Beck
Beck’s model of depressive vulnerability is known as…
The negative triad
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| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Internal mental processes / the way we think |
The cognitive approach suggests depression is caused by… | Negative and irrational thoughts |
A student has written the following answer: “Negative and irrational thoughts cause depression” Is this correct, or incorrect? Why? | Incorrect - negative and irrational thoughts make someone vulnerable to depression |
Which cognitive psychologist suggested that vulnerability to depression is caused by irrational thoughts? | Ellis |
Which cognitive psychologist suggested that vulnerability to depression is caused by negative thoughts ? | Beck |
Beck’s model of depressive vulnerability is known as… | The negative triad |
Ellis’ model of depressive vulnerability is known as… |
|
Beck suggests that consistent ____________ makes a person vulnerable to depression | Negative thinking |
Beck’s explanation of depression comes from which psychological approach? | Cognitive |
How many kinds of negative thinking cause someone to be vulnerable to depression ? | 3 |
“I will never achieve anything” is an example of what type of negative view? | Negative view about the future |
“The world is a hard place” is an example of what type of negative view ? | Negative view about the world |
“I hate myself” is an example of what kind of negative view ? | Negative views about oneself |
|
|
Ellis’ ABC model emphasises the role of …. | Irrational thoughts |
According to Ellis, irrational thoughts interfere with … | Us being happy |
According to Ellis, the loss of a job would act as … | An activating event |
| Trigger irrational beliefs |
According to Ellis, two types of irrational beliefs are… | Musterbation and utopianism |
According to Ellis, vulnerability to depression is the __________ of the irrational beliefs | Consequence |
| Utopianism |
What is an example of a utopianist thought? | The world should be fair |
What is an example of a musterbatory thought | I must always achieve perfection |
“I must always achieve perfection” is an example of what type of belief? | Musterbation |
Beck's explanation of depression focuses on what type of thoughts | Negative |
Ellis' explanation of depression focuses on what type of thoughts | Irrational |
Irrational thoughts are associated with which psychologists cognitive explanation of depression? | Ellis |
Negative thoughts are associated with which cognitive psychologist's explanation of depression | Beck |
Why are Beck and Ellis' explanations of depression an important part of applied psychology? | As they have been used to develop treatments; CBT |
What is the problem with the cognitive approaches suggestion that depressive vulnerability is caused by negative / irrational thoughts? | Cause & effect cannot be established |
CBT stands for… | Cognitive Behavioural Therapy |
What is the cognitive aim of CBT? |
|
What is the behavioural aim of CBT? | To put more effective behaviours in place |
What is one strategy used to challenge irrational or negative thoughts ? | Empirical / disputing |
In empirical disupting, the therapist will ask for ___________ | Evidence |
What two things will the therapist ask clients to complete during CBT? | Homework & diary |
What is the purpose of the patient completing homework and a diary during CBT? | To test the reality of / to challenge their beliefs |
What is the behavioural strategy in CBT known as? | Behavioural activation |
What is the aim of the behavioural component of CBT? | Put more effective behaviours in place |
How is behavioural activation completed? | Encouraging the individual to be more active |
How is behavioural activation completed? | Encouraging the individual to be more active |
What effect does behavioural activation on the negative thoughts associated with depression? | Improves mood, so reduces negative thoughts |
Who conducted research into the effectiveness of CBT ? | March (2007) |
What group of people did March investigate ? | Adolescents with depression |
What % did March find had improved following CBT ? | 81 % |
What % did March find had improved following CBT and anti-depressants ? | 86% |
Why does empirical disputing require motivation and commitment? | As patients have to complete homework over a long period of time |
Why may empirical disputing be an inappropriate strategy to use with someone who suffers from depression ? | As individuals with depression often lack motivation |
Is CBT: A) Past and present focused B) Past and future focused C) Present and future focused | C) Present and future focused |
Why may the fact CBT is present and future focused be a problem for those with depression? | As they be aware of an issue in their past which they may want to discuss |