DISTINGUISHING ANXIETY FROM DEPRESSION: A REVIEW OF BECK'S CONTENT-SPECIFICITY HYPOTHESIS

Abstract

After introducing the content-specificity hypothesis, which tries to distinguish anxiety from depression in the framework of Beck's cognitive theory, studies examining cognitive differences and similarities between both psychopathological states with a comparative design of groups are reviewed. In general terms, the hypothesis is reasonably supported by empirical evidence, although evidence is stronger at level of cognitive products than at level of cognitive operations or propositions; likewise, evidence is stronger at studying clinical populations than subclinical ones. Review suggests the need of restating the assumption that the distinction is homogeneous throughout all cognitive constructs and all levels of symptomatology.