Constructivist Perspective of Depressive Realism: Implications for Cognitive Theory and Therapy
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33898/rdp.v4i13.958Keywords:
The cognitive theory of depression, depression, constructivismAbstract
The cognitive theory of depression (Ben K. 1967) ‹Shows that the depressed person maintains his negative thinking despite the evidence that contradicts it, because he distorts the feedback he receives from the environment, perceiving it as more negative than it actually is. . The research it receives challenges this hypothesis, suggesting instead that depressives can be realistic if the perception of life circumstances is genuinely negative, while non-depressives are those who maintain unrealistic optimistic thinking. The debate on this theory has been carried out within a realistic meta-theoretical framework in which it conceptualizes objective reality as something external to what it perceives. In this article we will broaden the debate by examining the implications of constructivist theory on the concepts of depressive realism versus depressive distortion or bias. We will finally see the implications of this debate for the cognitive therapy theory of depression.Downloads
References
AC KERMAN. R., & DERUB EIS, R.J. ( 1989). 1s depressii e realisrri i‘eal?.’ A critical anal psis. Manuscript
submited for publication.
ALLOY, L.B ., & ABRAMSON, L. Y. ( 1979). Judgement of contingency in depresed and nondepressed students:
Sadder but wiser? Journal of Experiiiien lal P,s5'cholog› .' General, 108, 441-485
ALLOY, L.B. & ABRAMSON,.L.Y. ( 1988). Depressive realism: Four theoretical perspectives. In L.B. Alloy
(Ed.), Cognitive pro‹-esses in depry.ssion (pp. 223-265). Neu.' York: Guilford Press.
BEC K, A.T. ( 1967). De pressioit. Cliii ic‹il, e. periiiteriial, aitd iheorefic.at aspects. New York: Harper & Row. BECK, A.T. (1976). Cognitive Tlierap y azrJ Ilte emotional disorders New' York: International Universities Press. BECK, A.T. ( 1983). Cognitive therapy of depression: New perspectives. In P.J. Clayton & J.E. Barrett (Eels.),
Treaiineiii of ‹:le pression: Old ‹’on move rsies and ny›s' ypp ron c hes (pp. 265-284). Ne ' York: Raven Press.
BECK, A.T. ( 1987). Cognitive models of depression.Jour»a/ of cogniiive Ps j rliolhera p›'. An lnferitalional quarlerl5', l, 5-37.
BECK, A.T. (1988). Cognitive approaches to panic disorder: Theory and therapy. In S. Rae hman. & J.D. Masser
(Eds.), Panic.’ Psychologiral perspectives (pp. 9 l- 109). Hillsdale, NJ: Erlbaum.
BECK, A.T., BROWN, G., STEER, R.A., EIDELSON. J.I., & RISKIND. J.H. (1987). Differentiating anxiety and
depression: A test of the cognitive content-specificity hypothesis. Journal of Abno rural Ps ycholog5', 96,
-183.
BECK, A.T., RUSH, A.J., SHAW, B.F., ' EMERY, G. ( 1979). Cognitive Ilierap5 of depression. New York:
Guilford Press.
BEC KER, R. E, (1988). Interpersonal interaction and depression. The Bcha vioi Therapisi, 1.1, 1 l 5- 1.18.
BEIDEL, D.C., & TURNER, S.M. ( 1986). A Critique of the theoretical bases of cognitive-behavioral theories and
therapy. Clinical Ps5 cholog y Revie w', 6, I 77- 197.
BUSS, D.M. (1987). Selection, evocation, and manipulation. Jon rnal of Persoimliis and Social Psvcliolo gv, 53,
l 4-1.221.
CLARK, D.A., BECK, A.T., & BROWN,G. (1989). Cognitive mediation in general psychiatric outpatients: A test of the content-specificity hypothesis. Journal of Personalil y ‹mid Social Ps j'cholog5', 5d, 958-9d4.
COYNE, J.C., & GOTLIB, I.H. (1983). The role of cognition in depression: A critical appraisal. Ps› rliologic‹il Bulletin, 94, 472-505.
CRANDELL, C.J., & CHAMBLESS, D.L. (1986). The validation of an inventory for measuring depressive
thoughts: The Crandell Cognitions Inventory. Behai’iou r Research and Therap y, 24, 430-41 1.
DOBSON, K.S. (1989). A meta-analysis of the efficacy of cognitive therapy for depresion. Journal of consulIin,q
and clinical ps5'cholog5', 5.7, 414-419.
DOBSON. K.S., & FRANCHE, R. (In Press). A conceptual and empirical review of the depressive realism
hypothesis. Caitadian Journal of Behavioral Science.
DYK!ViAN. B.M. AB RA MSON, L.Y.. ALLOY, L.B., & HA RTLAGE, S.(1959). Processing of' anib's uous and unambiguous feedback by depresed ai›d nc›ndepre.ssed college students: Schemtltic biases and theii implications for depressive realism. Journal of Per.c‹›iinlit y ‹ind Soc-i‹il Ps›'c’iiol‹›y y, 56. 431-445.
EAVES. G., & RUSH. A.J.( l '9S4). Cos fl'‹ li e patterns in sy inptoiriatic aid remitted unipolar major depression.
Jounniil of nbn‹›rimN Psy-‹.-holog3•, 93, ? 1-40.
FENNELL. M.J.V., & TEAS DALE, J.D. ( 1987). Cognitive therap)' for depression: Individual dil'lcro•nces and lhe process of change. Cazriilive 7/iero2ay aitd Rese‹ir‹-h, II. 253-27 1.
FUNDER, D.C. ( 1987). Errors and mistakes: Evaluatin s lhe accuracy of social judinent. Psychologi‹’al Biilletiit, 101, 75-90.
GOTLIB, I.H. (1984). Depression and general psychopathology in university students. 7riiirii«f cif alwuntiuil
P s5'c’hol‹›g5’, 93, I 9-30.
GREENBERG, M.S.. & BECK, A.T. (1989). Depression versus anxiety: A test ol‘ the content-specil‘icity
hypothe.sis. Jon› tail of iil›iioriniil Ps› choloy , 98, 9-13.
GREENWALD, A.Ci. 11980). The tolalitarian ego: Fabrication and revision of person ‹il history. Amcci i‹ uu
Ps;rhologisi, 35, 603-618.
HAAGA. D.A.F. ( 1989). l,s,sue s in › cl‹iiiiiy self-effi‹ ‹icy ui swioki›ig re!upse. luipoi tuu‹-e of ‹in Arliille.s lteel
.citu‹iiioii iinil of]yrioy ffuilting expei ic›ice. lVlanuscript submitted for publication.
HOLLON, S.D., & GA RBER. J. ( 1988). Cognitive therapy. In L.Y.Abramson (Ed.). Soei‹il ‹’ripniriozi find r fiiii‹-«f
y.sy’chu!‹•8-.› .iv’nthesis (pp. 204-253). New York: Guill’ord.
HOLLON, S.D., KENDALL, P.C., & LUMRY, A. (1986). Specificity of’ depressotypic cognitions in clinical depression. J‹›ui mil ‹j’Al›rtormal Ps ›'c ltt›l‹›ps , 95, 52-59.
ISEN, A.NI., DAUBMAN. K.A., & NOWICKI. G.P. ( 1987). Positive uffect facilitates creative problem solving.
Jourii‹il oJ! Per,soiuilit)' ‹iM fir›c’inf Psy‹-ltol‹›e›’. 52, I l 22- 1.13.1.
KENDALL. P.C., HOLLON, S.D., BECK, A.T.. HAMMEN,C. L. & INGRAM, R.E. (1957). Issues and
recommendations regarding use of the Beck Depression Inx'entory. Commit i e Ther‹lf›y turd Research, 1.1,
-299.
KENNEDY, R.E., & CRAIGHEAD, W.E. (1988). Differential effects of’ depression and anxiety on recl‹all of feedback in a learning task. Itetiavior Tlieriif››-, 19, 437-4fi4.
KRANTZ. S.E. (1985). 4'hen depressive cognitions retâect negative realities. Cr›giiitive Thernt' › ‹md be.s‹•nrc /i,
-610.
KRU GLANS KI. A.W., & JA FFE, Y. (1988). Curing by knowing: The epistemic approach to cognitix'e therapy. In L.Y. Abramson (Ed.). Socinl cogniti‹›it aitd ’linical psycholo$ y: A syitthesis (pp. 254-291). New York: Guilford Press.
MacKAY. D.G. (1988). Under what conditions can theoretical psychology survive and prosper? Integrating the rational and empirical epistemologies. Psyc-hologi‹al R •› iew. 95. 559-565.
M AHONEY, M.J. (1988a). The cognitive sciences and psychotherapy: Patterns in a developing relationship. In
K.S. Dobson (Ed.). Handbook ofcognitive-behavioral thernpies (pp. 357-386). New York: Guilford Press. NIAHONEY, M.J. (1988b). Constructive metatheory: I. Basic features and historical foundations. litterwaiional
Journal of Per.soiml Consum 't Psycltolog y, 1, I -35.
Al AHONEY, M.J. (1988c). Conslruclive metatheory: II. Implications for psychotherapy. Mterruuional Jouriml of Personal Coiistru‹'t Ps j'cholog;. 1. 299-315.
MAHONEY, NI.I. & GABRIEL, T.J. (1987). Psychotherapy and the cognitive sciences: An evols'ing alliance.
Jon rna l of Cognitive Psvchotliei ay y.- Ari Jii ie rnatioii‹il quarrel y, l, 39-59.
MOOK, D.G. (1983). In defense of external invalidity. American Psychologist. 38, 379-387.
NEZU, A.M. (1987). A problem-solving formulacion of depression: A literature review and proposal ofa pluralistic model. Cliiticiil Ps5'cholog y Review. 7, ! 21-144
OSBERG, T.M.. & SHRAUGER, J.S. (1988). Depression and the accuracy of pessimistic versus optimistic self- predictions of future lite events. In T.i'vl. Osberg (Chair), Self-prediction.’ The role ofdryresioii, d‹•frnsive pessimism. ‹ind iis‹ige inexpectations for the future. Symposium presented at the annual meeting of the Eastern Psychological Associalion. Buffalo, NY. April 1988.
PIASECKI,J., & HOLLON, S.D. ( 1987). Cognitive therapy for depresion: Unexplicated schemaia and scripts. In
N.S. Jacobson (Ed.1, Psychoiheriipists iii clinical practice: Cognitive and behavioral perspectives (pp.l 2 l - 152). New York: Guilford Ptess.
RORTY, R. (1989). Contingen‹-y, irony, rind solidnrit). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. SCHACHTER, S. (1982). Recedivism and self-cure of smoking and obesity. American Ps•'chologist, 37, 436-444. SCHWARTZ, J.L. (1987). Review and evaluiitioii of smoking ceswirion methods: They United Suites and Canad‹i
I 978- I 9d.$. U.S. Depart ment of Health und human Services .Public Health Service. National Institutes of Health. NIH Publication No. 87-2490.
TAYLOR. S.E.. & BROWN. J.D. (1988). Illusion and well-being: A social ps) chological perspective on mental health. P.s ‹=!l !• s i‹' al Bulletin, 103, I 93-210.
TEASDA LE. J.D. (1985). Ps ychological treatments for depression: How' do they work'? Delt‹wiour Researclt rind
Thrra ››', 23, 157- 1G5.
WACHTEL, P.L. (1973). Psychodynamics, behavior therapy. and the implacable experimenter: An inquiry into the consistency of personality. Joyruul ‹›f Ahiioi itt‹il Ps›‹ho !‹›s.›. * 2, 324-.334.
WEINSTEIN, N.D. (1987). Unrealistic optimism about illness suscept ibility: Conclusions t’roni a community- wide sample. Journal uf iSeIi‹ivioi al i¥fedic itir, 10, 4 Z I -50t)
WILKINSON, I.M.. & BLACKBURN, I.NI. ( 198.1 ).Cogniiix'c• slyle in depressed and recovered depressed patients.
British Jouniinl of Clinicnl Psvcholoy y. 20, 283-292.
