Negative thoughts about the self - believe that they are worthless and will therefore never attain happiness.
Negative thoughts about the world - small objects are misinterpreted as impassable barriers.
Negative thoughts about the future - believe that negative things that are happening now will continue into future because of personal defects.
Errors of Logic
Overgeneralization - refers to drawing global conclusion about worth on the basis of a single fact.
Personalization - refers to incorrectly taking responsibility for bad events in the world.
Arbitrary inference - drawing a conclusion that has little or no evidence to support.
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Ellis' ABC Model
ABC model to demosntrate how beliefs determine the way human beings feel and behave.
A - refers to whatever started things of. e.g thinking about something which has happened.
B - this triggers off thoughts.
C - turns into a reaction = feelings and behvaiour
Ways of thinking that will make you feel bad in dysfunctional ways:
People rating - labelling or rating your total self (worthless/useless)
Demanding - using 'should' or 'I need to be loved'
Rational thinking is a realistic thinking. It concerned with facts, the real world rather than subjective opinion or wishful thinking.
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Cognitive Approach - Evaluation
Has good supporting evidence
Clark and Beck reviewed research on this topic and concludd tha there was solid support for all these cognitive vulnerability factos
These conditions can be seen before depression develops, suggesting that BECK may be right about cognition causing, at least in some cases.
Ellis' theory is reductionist.
It blames the patients for having irrational thoughs that result in depression.
It excludes the posibility that there may be factors in the patients's life beyond thir control that acuse anxiety and depression.
The theory acknowledges other aspects such as genes, development and early experiences.
It can lead to certain thinking patterns which lead to depression.
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Cognitive Approach - Treatment
Beck's Cognitive Therapy
It is to identify automatic thoughts about the world, self and the future.
Cognitive therapy aims to help patients test the reality of their negative beliefs.
They might be set h/w's such as recording events they enjoyed or when people were nice to them.
In future if patients say no one was nice - therapist can then produce this evidence and use it to prove the patient's statements are incorrect.
Ellis' REBT
The technique to identify and challenge irrational thoughts.
Challenging may involve a vigorous argument - intended effect is to change irrational belief and so break the link between negative life events and depression.
Therapist encourage patients to be more active and engage activities.
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Cognitive Approach Treatment - Evaluation
It is effective
March et al compared effects of CBT antidepressant and combination of 2 in 327 adolescents with main diagnosis of depression.
86% of the CBT+antidepressant group significantly improved.
CBT emerged as jsut as effective as medication and helpful alongside medication. (NHS - first choice of treatment)
CBT may not work for severe cases.
Some cases patients cannot motivate themselves to engage with hard cognitive work of CBT.
Though it is possible to work around by using medication - CBT cannot be used as the sole treatment for all cases of depression.
CBT successful with unipolar depression as well as eating disorders.
CBT are centered on irrational thoughts that cause inappropriate behaviours - improve validity as form of treatment.
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