Date of Submission

2004

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

Department

Psychology

Department Chair

Robert A. DiTomasso, Ph.D.,

First Advisor

Elizabeth Gosch, Ph.D., Chairperson

Second Advisor

David C. Hill, Ph.D.

Third Advisor

David Castro-Blanco Ph.D., ABPP

Abstract

Cognitive behavioral theories suggest that depressed people have negatively distorted and inaccurate perceptions and cognitions. The present study measures the accuracy of cognitions by comparing predictions made by depressed and by nondepressed students when they estimate the scores they will earn on an examination. It also compares depressed and nondepressed students on their levels of satisfaction with their exam scores. No difference was found between depressed and nondepressed students in either their predictions of their exam grades or their level of satisfaction with their exam grades. This study fails to support the notion that depression correlates with negative cognitive distortions. Depressed and nondepressed students were alike in their cognitive accuracy in predicting exam grades and in their cognitive satisfaction level with their grades.

Share

COinS