later (Leon, Gillum, Gillum, & Gouze, 1979). The researchers found an im-
pressively high correlation between the men ’s depression levels at the two dif-
ferent times. Yet another study found that depression levels in 18-year-oldscould be predicted from looking at participants ’behavior from as early as
7 years of age (Block, Gjerde, & Block, 1991).
Biological personality psychologists point to evidence that some people
may inherit a genetic susceptibility to depression (McGue & Christensen,1997). A person born with this vulnerability faces a much greater likelihood
than the average individual of reacting to stressful life events with depression.
Because of this inherited tendency, these people often experience repeatedbouts of depression throughout their lives.
Humanistic personality theorists explain depression in terms of self-
esteem. That is, people who frequently suffer from depression are those whohave failed to develop a good sense of their self-worth. A person ’s level of
self-esteem is established while growing up and, like other personality con-
cepts, is fairly stable across time and situations. The ability to accept oneself,
even one ’s faults and weaknesses, is an important goal for humanistic thera-
pists when dealing with clients suffering from depression.
The behavioral/social learning approach examines the type of learning his-
tory that leads to depression. Behaviorists argue that depression results from a
What causes depression? Depending on which approach to personality you adopt, you
might explain depression in terms of anger turned inward, a stable trait, an inheritedpredisposition, low self-esteem, a lack of reinforcers, or negative thoughts.Photo courtesy of Emily MurphySix Approaches to Personality 9