According to Aaron Beck, depressed patients show a negative view about three areas of experience. Which triad correctly represents this?
- A The self, the family, the workplace
- B The self, the world, the future ✓
- C The past, the present, the future
- D Thoughts, emotions, behaviours
Correct answer: B. The self, the world, the future
Explanation
Beck's cognitive triad of depression consists of a negative view of the self (defective, inadequate), the world (environment makes excessive demands, defeats one), and the future (hopeless expectations). This triad underlies the negative automatic thoughts targeted in CBT. Option D describes the components of cognition addressed in therapy rather than the triad itself, which is the most tempting distractor because it sounds structurally similar.
Reference: Kaplan and Sadock's Synopsis of Psychiatry, 12th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.