Theories of Depression

    OCR
    GCSE

    The study of Theories of Depression requires a critical evaluation of competing etiological frameworks: the Cognitive approach (emphasizing maladaptive information processing) and the Biological approach (focusing on genetic vulnerability and neurochemical imbalance). Candidates must assess the validity of Beck’s Negative Triad and Ellis’s ABC model against the Monoamine Hypothesis and genetic concordance rates. Mastery involves analyzing the shift from reductionist single-cause explanations to the interactionist Diathesis-Stress model, evaluating the implications for therapeutic interventions (CBT vs. Pharmacotherapy).

    0
    Objectives
    4
    Exam Tips
    4
    Pitfalls
    3
    Key Terms
    4
    Mark Points

    What You Need to Demonstrate

    Key skills and knowledge for this topic

    • Accurately define Ellis's ABC components: Activating event, Belief (irrational), Consequence (emotional/behavioural)
    • Explain the mechanism of serotonin: low levels inhibit effective synaptic transmission of mood-regulating signals
    • Evaluate theories using specific criticisms: reductionism in biological theory vs. blame-allocation in cognitive theory
    • Apply theoretical concepts explicitly to novel scenarios (AO2), quoting the stimulus to justify the diagnosis

    Example Examiner Feedback

    Real feedback patterns examiners use when marking

    • "You defined the ABC model correctly, but you must quote the scenario to secure AO2 marks"
    • "Your evaluation of the biological theory is valid; expand by contrasting it with the cognitive approach"
    • "Be more precise with Caspi et al. findings—cite the specific gene variant (short/long alleles)"
    • "Ensure you explain *why* low serotonin leads to low mood (synaptic transmission), not just that it does"

    Marking Points

    Key points examiners look for in your answers

    • Accurately define Ellis's ABC components: Activating event, Belief (irrational), Consequence (emotional/behavioural)
    • Explain the mechanism of serotonin: low levels inhibit effective synaptic transmission of mood-regulating signals
    • Evaluate theories using specific criticisms: reductionism in biological theory vs. blame-allocation in cognitive theory
    • Apply theoretical concepts explicitly to novel scenarios (AO2), quoting the stimulus to justify the diagnosis

    Examiner Tips

    Expert advice for maximising your marks

    • 💡In 'Discuss' questions (9 marks), structure your response as: AO1 (Theory Outline) + AO3 (Evaluation/Conclusion)
    • 💡For AO2 application, do not just name the concept; explicitly link it to a phrase in the case study
    • 💡When evaluating the Biological theory, use the success of drug therapy (SSRIs) as evidence for validity
    • 💡Memorise the specific percentage findings of Caspi et al. to demonstrate precision in AO1

    Common Mistakes

    Pitfalls to avoid in your exam answers

    • Confusing the 'Belief' (B) with the 'Consequence' (C) in Ellis's model when applying to scenarios
    • Stating 'low serotonin causes depression' without explaining the synaptic transmission failure
    • Describing the Caspi et al. study as a theory rather than supporting evidence for the diathesis-stress model
    • Providing generic evaluation points (e.g., 'it is scientific') without linking to specific features of the theory

    Key Terminology

    Essential terms to know

    Likely Command Words

    How questions on this topic are typically asked

    Identify
    Describe
    Explain
    Discuss
    Evaluate
    Calculate

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