Cognitive approaches to depression: a theoretical critique

Three cognitive approaches to depression are reviewed in terms of recent advances in cognitive psychology. The approaches considered are those based on associative networks, schemata, and explanatory styles. It is argued that each of these approaches has significant limitations that can be overcome if they are replaced by the theory of mental models (Johnson-Laird, 1983). A number of specific advantages for this theory are outlined and the basis is provided for a new cognitive approach to depression.