Question

One theory of depression is that people who are depressed harbor unrealistic beliefs about themselves. For example, they think that they must always behave perfectly and when they fail to meet this standard, they become despondent. This theory of depression views the disorder from the _____.

a) Cognitive perspective
b) Biological perspective
c) Psychoanalytic perspective
d) Behavioral perspective

Answer 1

The theory of depression involving unrealistic self-beliefs is part of the cognitive perspective, which includes reformulated learned helplessness and the work of Beck on cognitive restructuring as ways of understanding and treating depression.

Step-by-step explanation:

The theory of depression that suggests people may have unrealistic beliefs about themselves, for instance, the belief that they must always behave perfectly, falls under the cognitive perspective. This perspective is concerned with how people's thoughts and beliefs can contribute to their emotional and behavioral problems.

The cognitive model, most notably associated with the work of Aaron Beck, highlights how negative thinking patterns and irrational beliefs can lead to depression. Cognitive theories propose that by identifying and modifying these maladaptive thought patterns through techniques like cognitive restructuring, individuals may reduce their depressive symptoms.

Linking back to Seligman's work, the reformulated learned helplessness theory, also known as hopelessness theory, is a cognitive approach that deals with the attributions individuals make regarding life events. Under this theory, people with a tendency to view negative events as internal (self-caused), stable (unlikely to change), and global (affecting many areas of life) may experience increased vulnerability to depression.