Question

Select a psychological disorder (your choice, depression, anxiety, ADHD, etc.). Summarize two theoretical/empirical perspectives of the disorder you selected (e.g., Psychoanalytic, Humanistic, Behavioral, Social Learning Theory, Neuropsychological, psychosocial, etc.).

Critically compare and discuss the implications of these two perspectives on understanding the disorder of focus

Answer 1

I choose depression which is a mood disorders that hampers one's normal life as she/he is spiralled into negative emotions

Behaviourism suggest that depression is caused due to environmental factors . Classical conditioning suggest that depression occurs because of association of stimuli with a negative emotion .

Social theory says that depression is learned through observation and imitation.

Most renowned behaviourist explaination comes from operant conditioning which says depression is caused due to loss of a positive reinforcement or imposition of a punishment. When a person has lost some loved one or the job , he develops negative emotion. If he is not good at social skills then he may loose social support and spiral into negative emotion that lead to depression.

Cognitive approach believes that depression is the result of biased and irrational beliefs rather than the result of behavior. Behavioral and emotional response results from thinking process . Depressed people think differently than normal people.

Apron beck cognitive theory of depression explain depression through process of cognitive triad , negative self schema and error in logic.

Cognitive triad concept is about three negative things that lead to depression . These are negative thinking about oneself , negative view of world and negative hope or hopelessness from future. People who are depressed cannot come out of this triad.

Moreover , they have negative self schema that they are worthless and useless. This can be formed during childhood trauma or any other event. Furthermore a depressed people usually make errors in logic that is symptom of depression .

Both the theories have certain advantages and disadvantages. Behaviourist theory is first and most I fluential because of its simplicity and observable nature. But it is limited to cases of depression where cause is known. But it fails in those cases if depression where cause is not known even to the depressed person.

Cognitive theory has advantage of being thoroughly researched specially by beck and is most logical theory. However biggest dilemma is still unresolved. The change in thinking process might be the result of behavioral and emotion response during depression.