AP Psychology Quiz: Theories of Depression (Biological, Cognitive, Behavioral)

🧠 Quick Study Guide

• 🧬 Biological Theories: Focus on genetic predispositions, neurotransmitter imbalances (serotonin, norepinephrine, dopamine), and brain structure abnormalities. Antidepressant medications often target these neurotransmitters.
• 🧠 Cognitive Theories: Emphasize negative thought patterns, cognitive distortions (e.g., catastrophizing, overgeneralization), and maladaptive schemas. Beck's cognitive triad focuses on negative views of the self, world, and future.
• 🏋️ Behavioral Theories: Suggest that depression results from a lack of positive reinforcement, learned helplessness, and withdrawal from rewarding activities. Behavioral therapies aim to increase engagement in pleasurable activities and improve social skills.
• 🧪 Important Neurotransmitters: Serotonin (mood regulation), Norepinephrine (alertness, energy), Dopamine (pleasure, motivation).
• 💡 Key Figures: Aaron Beck (Cognitive Therapy), Martin Seligman (Learned Helplessness).
• 📝 Treatment Approaches: Biological (medication), Cognitive (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy - CBT), Behavioral (Behavioral Activation).

Practice Quiz

1. Which of the following neurotransmitters is most closely associated with mood regulation and is often targeted by antidepressant medications?
   1. Serotonin
   2. Dopamine
   3. Norepinephrine
   4. GABA
2. Aaron Beck's cognitive triad focuses on negative views of:
   1. The past, present, and future
   2. The self, others, and the environment
   3. The self, the world, and the future
   4. Thoughts, feelings, and behaviors
3. Learned helplessness, a concept related to behavioral theories of depression, was famously studied by:
   1. Aaron Beck
   2. Martin Seligman
   3. Albert Ellis
   4. Ivan Pavlov
4. A behavioral therapist treating a client with depression is most likely to focus on:
   1. Identifying and challenging negative thought patterns
   2. Exploring unconscious conflicts from childhood
   3. Increasing the client's engagement in pleasurable activities
   4. Prescribing antidepressant medication
5. Which theory of depression emphasizes the role of maladaptive schemas in maintaining depressive symptoms?
   1. Biological
   2. Cognitive
   3. Behavioral
   4. Psychodynamic
6. Which of the following is NOT a typical focus of biological treatments for depression?
   1. Balancing neurotransmitter levels
   2. Addressing genetic predispositions
   3. Modifying negative thought patterns
   4. Correcting brain structure abnormalities
7. A person who consistently interprets neutral events as evidence of personal failure is exhibiting:
   1. Positive reinforcement
   2. Cognitive distortions
   3. Learned optimism
   4. Behavioral activation