This review discusses cognitive theories of depression, focusing on how cognitive processes contribute to the development and maintenance of depressive symptoms. It highlights three key mechanisms: inhibitory processes and working memory deficits, rumination in response to negative mood and life events, and the inability to use positive stimuli to regulate negative mood. The review emphasizes that depression is characterized by increased elaboration of negative information, difficulty disengaging from negative material, and deficits in cognitive control when processing negative information. It also discusses the importance of integrating cognitive, neural, and genetic factors in understanding depression. The review notes that while cognitive biases are present during depressive episodes, their presence outside of these episodes is less clear. It also highlights the need for further research to understand how cognitive and biological factors interact in depression. The review concludes that cognitive theories of depression have provided significant insights, but more research is needed to fully understand the complex nature of depression and to develop effective treatments.This review discusses cognitive theories of depression, focusing on how cognitive processes contribute to the development and maintenance of depressive symptoms. It highlights three key mechanisms: inhibitory processes and working memory deficits, rumination in response to negative mood and life events, and the inability to use positive stimuli to regulate negative mood. The review emphasizes that depression is characterized by increased elaboration of negative information, difficulty disengaging from negative material, and deficits in cognitive control when processing negative information. It also discusses the importance of integrating cognitive, neural, and genetic factors in understanding depression. The review notes that while cognitive biases are present during depressive episodes, their presence outside of these episodes is less clear. It also highlights the need for further research to understand how cognitive and biological factors interact in depression. The review concludes that cognitive theories of depression have provided significant insights, but more research is needed to fully understand the complex nature of depression and to develop effective treatments.