The cognitive approach to explaining depression: Beck's negative triad
Aaron Beck argued that depressed people hold three interlocking negative beliefs: about themselves, about the world, and about the future. These beliefs distort thinking and maintain depression.
Real World
A university student who fails one assignment might think "I'm stupid" (negative view of self), "The whole course is unfair" (negative view of the world), and "I'll never get a job" (negative view of the future) — illustrating all three corners of Beck's triad.
Exam Focus
Always identify all three elements of the triad with a distinct example for each — partial answers rarely reach full marks.
Evaluation Scaffold
A four-step framework for high-quality evaluation. Use this for 'assess', 'evaluate', and 'to what extent' questions.
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