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Related Experiment Video

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Animal Models of Depression - Chronic Despair Model (CDM)

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Published on: September 23, 2021

Behavioral excesses in depression: a learning theory hypothesis.

Judith A Dygdon¹, Kimberly A Dienes

¹Department of Psychology, Roosevelt University, Chicago, Illinois 60605, USA. jdygdon@roosevelt.edu

Depression and Anxiety

|April 5, 2013

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

This study explores how learning theories explain depression, linking response contingent reinforcement and learned helplessness via schedule strain. It proposes that behavioral excess symptoms in depression may function as adjunctive behaviors.

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Area of Science:

Psychology
Behavioral Science
Clinical Psychology

Background:

Depression is characterized by behavioral deficits (e.g., anhedonia) and behavioral excesses (e.g., rumination).
Existing models of depression include response contingent positive reinforcement and learned helplessness.
A unifying concept connecting these models is needed to explain the co-occurrence of behavioral deficits and excesses.

Purpose of the Study:

To review learning theory-based models of depression.
To introduce the concept of schedule strain as a unifying mechanism.
To hypothesize that behavioral excesses in depression may serve adjunctive functions.

Main Methods:

Review of existing literature on learning theory and depression.
Conceptual analysis connecting response contingent reinforcement, learned helplessness, and schedule strain.
Hypothesis generation regarding the function of behavioral excesses in depression.

Main Results:

Schedule strain, defined as low rates of response contingent reinforcement, unites response contingent positive reinforcement and learned helplessness models.
Schedule strain can lead to the development of adjunctive behaviors.
Depression severity may increase when schedule strain occurs with highly valued reinforcers or across multiple situations.

Conclusions:

Schedule strain provides a framework for understanding experiential contributions to depression.
Behavioral excess symptoms in depression, such as rumination and overeating, may function as adjunctive behaviors.
This hypothesis offers new implications for understanding and potentially treating depression.