Beck's Cognitive Theory

According to Beck’s Cognitive Theory, negative thoughts generated by distorted beliefs are the key cause of depression symptoms (Dombeck, Nemade, & Reiss, 2014). The intensity of negative thoughts produced affects the level of depression a patient sets into. The theory comprises of four major aspects – Schemata, Cognitive Errors, the Cognitive Triad and Automatic Thoughts (Beck, 1967). Schemata are beliefs that influence the way situational information is processed. Depressogenic Schemata are beliefs that are negative in nature. It is undesirable as it produces undeveloped, absolute, and inflexible attitudes about the individual and its relationship with the world (Knopf & Pössel, 2011). Stressful situations, such as changes in school and relationships during early adolescence, would activate negative schemata (Graber, Hilsman & Robinson, 1995) (Beck, 1967, 1983). When activated, Cognitive Errors arise and negatively modify self-perception and thoughts of their surroundings (Knopf & Pössel, 2011). They tend to be severe, dysfunctional and do not portray the situation correctly (Black & Pössel, 2013). The methodical errors in thought processing cause thoughts to be over exaggerated (Abela & Sullivan, 2003). They magnify the significance and meaning placed on one negative experience, and diminish those that are positive (Dombeck , Nemade, & Reiss, 2014). This means that patients tend to jump to conclusions quickly (Renaud, Dobson, & Drapeau, 2014). As a result, patients form pessimistic perceptions of themselves, the environment around him and the future, hence known as the Cognitive Triad (Black & Pössel, 2013). The Cognitive triad influences and is expressed by Automatic Thoughts, which are uncontrollable, not permanent, recurrin...

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...on symptoms. As the cognitive errors are targeted, coping skills can be utilised to prevent the onset of depression (Renaud, Dobson, & Drapeau, 2014). In addition, its post-treatment effects are long lasting and are more economical than pharmacotherapy (Antonuccio, Danton, & Thomas, 1997). This means that after treatment, patients are less likely to fall back into depression. Also, it is cheaper in the long run to undergo the therapy instead of taking medication such as anti-depressants that supress the negativity. However, research showed no difference in treatment outcome between individuals who underwent a full treatment package and those in Behavioural Activation condition (Addis, et al., 2000). Hence, further research on particular coping strategies and addressing it specifically during therapy may improve the cognitive therapy treatment and its success rate.