Depression

AQA

A-Level

The study of Depression within Psychopathology requires a rigorous examination of unipolar depression as a mood disorder. Candidates must distinguish between Major Depressive Disorder and Persistent Depressive Disorder using DSM-5 criteria. The core focus lies in the Cognitive Approach to explaining depression (Beck’s Negative Triad, Ellis’s ABC Model) and treating depression (CBT, REBT). Mastery involves evaluating these cognitive frameworks against biological alternatives, assessing therapeutic efficacy, and analyzing the implications of cognitive vulnerability. Assessment demands precise terminology regarding behavioral, emotional, and cognitive characteristics.

Objectives

Exam Tips

Pitfalls

Key Terms

Mark Points

What You Need to Demonstrate

Key skills and knowledge for this topic

Award marks for precise definition of the Negative Triad components: negative views of the self, the world, and the future
Credit responses that explicitly link Ellis's ABC model (Activating event, Belief, Consequence) to the development of irrational thinking, not just sadness
Evaluation must assess the effectiveness of cognitive treatments (e.g., March et al. comparison with antidepressants) or the causality issue in explanations
Application marks (AO2) require quoting specific cues from the stem to support diagnosis or treatment selection

Example Examiner Feedback

Real feedback patterns examiners use when marking

"You have outlined the theory, but you need to explain *how* the therapy changes the thought process (e.g., empirical disputing)"
"Your application is weak; quote the text directly to prove the character is exhibiting 'absolutist thinking'"
"Evaluation point is valid but generic. Link it to the 'patient-blaming' ethical implication of the cognitive approach"
"Ensure you distinguish between the ABC model (explanation) and the ABCDE model (treatment)"

Marking Points

Key points examiners look for in your answers

Award marks for precise definition of the Negative Triad components: negative views of the self, the world, and the future
Credit responses that explicitly link Ellis's ABC model (Activating event, Belief, Consequence) to the development of irrational thinking, not just sadness
Evaluation must assess the effectiveness of cognitive treatments (e.g., March et al. comparison with antidepressants) or the causality issue in explanations
Application marks (AO2) require quoting specific cues from the stem to support diagnosis or treatment selection

Examiner Tips

Expert advice for maximising your marks

💡When discussing treatments, explicitly mention 'disputing' (logical, empirical, pragmatic) and 'behavioural activation'
💡In 'Refer to the scenario' questions, do not just name-drop the character; quote the specific behaviour that matches the theory
💡Differentiate clearly between 'Explaining Depression' (Etiology) and 'Treating Depression' (Therapy) to avoid rubric violations
💡Use Issues and Debates (e.g., Soft Determinism, Reductionism) to provide high-level evaluation in 16-mark essays

Common Mistakes

Pitfalls to avoid in your exam answers

Confusing Beck's Negative Triad (content of thoughts) with the concept of a negative self-schema (mental framework)
Describing Ellis's ABC model as a treatment rather than an explanation (confusing it with the ABCDE model of REBT)
Stating that 'CBT cures depression' without explaining the mechanism of disputing irrational thoughts (logical, empirical, pragmatic)

Key Terminology

Essential terms to know

Likely Command Words

How questions on this topic are typically asked

Describe

Explain

Discuss

Outline

Evaluate

Refer to

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