Biological Explanation of Clinical Depression (OCR GCSE Psychology): Revision Note

Social rank theory

• Proposed by Anthony Stevens and John Price (2001), the social rank theory is an evolutionary explanation of depression

  • It suggests that depression evolved as an adaptive response to social defeat or loss

• Depression helps individuals accept a lower social status and withdraw from conflict, promoting survival within groups

  • In ancestral societies, this reaction would have prevented weaker individuals from being injured or killed when competing for dominance

• The theory proposes that depression allows people to come to terms with loss, conserve energy, and reassess their position in society

  • E.g. if someone is passed over for a promotion, the resulting depression helps them accept their lower position instead of continuing to compete, reducing stress and potential conflict

The role of a lower rank in reducing conflict

• Depression encourages individuals to submit or accept defeat, signalling to others that they are no longer a threat

  • This reduces aggression and social tension, maintaining group stability and cohesion

• From an evolutionary perspective, accepting a subordinate role allowed individuals to remain within the safety of the group rather than being excluded

• Although losing social status may feel unpleasant, it helps prevent further competition and supports long-term survival

• By 'yielding to the winner', individuals avoid harm and allow the group to continue functioning peacefully

Criticisms of social rank theory

• Reductionist:

  • The theory oversimplifies depression by focusing only on its evolutionary purpose, ignoring psychological, social, and biological influences such as brain chemistry, genetics, or life experiences

  • It also neglects other biological explanations (e.g. low serotonin levels) that have strong empirical support

• Interactionist approach

  • Depression is a multifactorial condition, so it cannot be explained by one adaptive function alone

  • Most psychologists now support an interactionist approach, recognising that depression arises from a combination of biological, cognitive, and social factors

• Limited evidence:

  • The theory suggests depression mainly occurs in ‘losers’ or those of low social rank

  • Research shows that people of all social classes can experience depression

• Triggered by non-social factors:

  • The theory cannot explain depression that arises from non-competitive situations, such as bereavement, chronic illness, or caregiver stress

  • These experiences can lead to depression even when no social defeat or hierarchy is involved